Andrei Shabanov is a political prisoner
A saxophone player from Samara has been sentenced to six years’ imprisonment for a Facebook post.
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Andrei Shabanov a political prisoner. For a single post on Facebook, Shabanov was convicted of making public calls to engage in terrorism and in activities directed against the security of the state. Shabanov’s criminal prosecution violated his rights to freedom of expression and a fair trial. We demand that Andrei Shabanov be released and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.
What were the charges against Andrei Shabanov?
Andrei Shabanov is a resident of Samara, a libertarian, a saxophonist, and a person with a registered disability. On 21 March 2024, his home was searched, and he was detained. He was then jailed for 14 days on an administrative-law charge of petty hooliganism.
While he was serving his jail sentence, criminal proceedings were initiated against him on charges of making public calls to engage in activities directed against state security (Article 280.4, Part 2, of the Russian Criminal Code) and making public calls using the internet to engage in terrorism (Article 205.2, Part 2). The investigative authorities and the court in its judgment claimed these offences were contained in a post published by Shabanov on Facebook in January 2024. In the post, Shabanov wrote: ‘There are only three real ways to oppose Putin (from the simple to the complex): making donations to the Ukrainian armed forces; partisan activity and sabotage within the Russian Federation; serving in the Russian Volunteer Corps or in the Free Russia Legion.’ The post received one like.
On 28 August 2024, Shabanov was remanded in custody. Despite his poor health, his detention was later extended by a further six months. In court, Andrei Shabanov pleaded guilty and expressed remorse.
On 5 February 2025, a military court sentenced him to six years’ imprisonment.
Why do we consider Andrei Shabanov a political prisoner?
There were no grounds for prosecuting Andrei Shabanov on a charge of making calls to engage in terrorism for statements about serving in the Russian Volunteer Corps or the Free Russia Legion. We consider the designation of these regular units of the Ukrainian military, which are participating in repelling Russian aggression, as terrorist organisations to be unlawful.
The wording of the law criminalising public calls to engage in activities directed against the security of the state is excessively broad and vague, enabling arbitrary application. In our view, it is the actions of the Russian authorities, who launched and to this day continue the aggression against Ukraine, which pose the greatest threat to Russia’s security. On the grounds alone that this war is claiming the lives of many Russian citizens, calls to oppose this aggression can be considered socially beneficial.
Moreover, even if Shabanov’s statement were to be formally regarded as dangerous to the public, it had no serious consequences; nor could it have had any, as the comment received minimal attention. Bringing criminal charges, let alone imposing a custodial sentence, on these grounds is disproportionate and politically motivated.
The real reason for Shabanov’s prosecution was his consistent anti-war stance and his opposition views more generally.
Furthermore, remanding a disabled person with serious medical conditions in custody subjects him to additional suffering. The Constitution of the Russian Federation declares that ‘no one shall be subjected to torture, violence or other cruel or degrading treatment or punishment.’
A detailed description of Shabanov’s case and of our position is available on our website.
Recognition of an individual as a political prisoner does not imply the ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project agrees with, or approves, their views, statements, or actions.
How can you help?
You can write to Andrei Shabanov at the following address:
RU:
443022, г. Самара, ул. Садовый проезд д. 22, ФКУ СИЗО-1, Шабанову Андрею Александровичу 1980 г. р.
EN:
Andrei Aleksandrovich Shabanov (born 1980), Remand Prison No. 1, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Samara Oblast, 22 Sadovy Proezd, Samara, 443022, Russia.
You can also send an email using the ZT service (for payment with Russian bank cards), OVD-Info and Memorial-France (free of charge).
Please note that letters in languages other than Russian are highly unlikely to reach the intended recipient.
You can follow updates on Andrei Shabanov’s case via the Telegram channel of his support group.
You can donate to help all political prisoners in Russia.
