Anton Sychyov is a political prisoner
An electrical engineer from Belgorod is being prosecuted for making calls to engage in terrorism for reposting a video about military operations involving the Free Russia Legion
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Anton Sychyov a political prisoner. Sychyov is being prosecuted for making calls to engage in terrorist activity for reposting a video of the Free Russia Legion. Sychyov’s criminal prosecution infringes on his rights to freedom of expression and fair trial. We demand the immediate release of Sychyov and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.
What are the charges against Anton Sychyov?
Anton Sychyov is an electrical engineer from Belgorod and the father of a young daughter. In February 2024, he was fined 40,000 roubles for a comment on BEDgorod, a Belgorod Telegram channel, that read: ‘Putin is a bastard, when will you kick the bucket, scum?’ Shortly after, Sychyov, together with his wife and child, moved to Moscow because, he said, he feared the escalation of the fighting and increased shelling in the border zone.
Later, a criminal case was opened against him for reposting (also in February 2024) a video featuring soldiers of the Free Russia Legion, allegedly filmed during a raid in Belgorod Oblast. According to the investigative authorities, the video contained calls to join the Legion and Sychyov’s repost was considered a ‘public call to carry out terrorist activity’ (Article 205.2, Part 2, of the Russian Criminal Code).
On 11 July 2024, Sychyov was arrested in Moscow. He was transferred to Belgorod and remanded in custody. He faces up to seven years’ imprisonment if convicted.
Why do we consider Anton Sychyov a political prisoner?
The offence of ‘making calls to engage in terrorism’ is systematically used by Russian authorities to prosecute dissenters, particularly opponents of the war. The charge brought against Anton Sychyov for this offence is unfounded and politically motivated.
Sychyov explained that he reposted the video of an appeal by fighters from the Free Russia Legion to show that combat actions were taking place in Belgorod Oblast. This repost was lawful, being either an attempt to provide important information to the public or the expression of an opinion on issues of public interest. Sychyov’s repost did not contain any calls to engage in violence or terrorism and therefore cannot be grounds to restrict his rights to freedom of expression and dissemination of information.
The prosecution relies on the ruling by the Russian Supreme Court designating the Free Russia Legion a terrorist organisation. In our view, this decision is unfounded and is used by the authorities to automatically criminalise any mention of the activities of a unit that is part of the Ukrainian armed forces and legitimately participates in military action, including on Russian territory. This unlawful decision by the Supreme Court cannot be used as the basis for the criminal prosecution of Sychyov.
A detailed description of Anton Sychyov’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 Anton Sychyov at the following address:
RU: 308017, г. Белгород, ул. К. Заслонова, д. 169а, ФКУ СИЗО-3 УФСИН России по Белгородской области, Сычёву Антону Павловичу 1988 г. р.
EN: Anton Pavlovich Sychyov (born 1988), Remand Prison No. 3, Federal Penitentiary Service for Belgorod Oblast, 169a Zaslonova Street, Belgorod, 308017, Russia.
You can also send an email using F-Pismo (for payment with Russian bank cards), PrisonMail (for payment with other bank cards), ZT (for payment with all 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 donate to help all political prisoners in Russia.
