Daniil Bondarenko is a political prisoner
A military serviceman from Vladivostok has been sentenced to two years in a low-security penal colony for a conversation with colleagues about the bombing of the Crimean Bridge
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Daniil Bondarenko a political prisoner. Bondarenko has been convicted on a charge of publicly justifying terrorism for criticising the war against Ukraine and supporting the bombing of the Crimean Bridge in a private conversation with fellow soldiers. Bondarenko’s prosecution and conviction have violated his rights to freedom of expression and fair trial. We demand the immediate release of Daniil Bondarenko and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.
Who is Daniil Bondarenko and what were the charges against him?
According to the prosecution, on 13 August 2023 in a private conversation with fellow soldiers at his home, Daniil Bondarenko expressed his opposition to the war against Ukraine and his approval of the Ukrainian strikes on the Crimean Bridge that had taken place in October 2022 and July 2023. It is likely that one of the participants in the conversation reported Bondarenko, leading to criminal prosecution for publicly justifying terrorism (Article 205.2, Part 1, of the Russian Criminal Code).
Bondarenko pleaded guilty and, on the basis of a plea bargain, the case was processed through a special procedure. On 23 January 2024, a military court sentenced Bondarenko to serve two years in a low-security penal colony. The sentence was upheld on appeal.
On 4 March 2024, Bondarenko’s name was added to Rosfinmonitoring’s list of terrorists and extremists.
Why do we consider Bondarenko a political prisoner?
The charge of justifying terrorism, on which Daniil Bondarenko was convicted, has become a tool for censorship and the persecution of dissidents in Russia — of all those who dare to express opinions contrary to the official position of the Russian authorities. This is especially true for statements about Russia’s war against Ukraine. For example, in a press release, the court stressed that Bondarenko had disagreed ‘with the decision of the leadership of the Russian Federation to conduct a special military operation on the territory of Ukraine.’
Furthermore, the official characterisation of the strikes against the Crimean Bridge as terrorist attacks is unfounded. The bridge is a key transport infrastructure supplying the Russian army, making it a legitimate military target for Ukrainian forces. Ukrainian strikes against the bridge have been part of combat operations in the full-scale war launched by Russia against Ukraine.
For these reasons, supporting the bombing of the bridge is not an endorsement of terrorism, but rather a show of support for the Ukrainian army in its fight against external aggression.
We oppose the broad interpretation of the term ‘justification of terrorism’ and the unjust criminalisation of those prosecuted on this charge.
We also note with concern the growing trend of individuals reporting to the Russian authorities about opinions overheard in private conversations, a trend increasingly encouraged by the authorities themselves.
A detailed description of Daniil Bondarenko’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 Daniil Bondarenko at the following address:
In Russian: 692710, Приморский край, Хасанский район, пгт. Приморский, ул. Молодёжная, д. 1, ФКУ КП-26 ГУФСИН России по Приморскому краю, Бондаренко Даниилу Александровичу, 2001 г. р.
In English: Daniil Aleksandrovich Bondarenko (born 2001), Penal Colony No. 26, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Primorsky Krai, 1 Molodyozhnaya Street, Primorsky town, Khasansky district, Primorsky Krai, 692710, Russia.
Please note that letters in languages other than Russian are highly unlikely to reach the recipient.
You can also send an email to Daniil Bondarenko via ZT (for payments with Russian cards), OVD-Info or Memorial-France (free of charge).
You can donate to support all political prisoners in Russia.
