Yevgeny Varaksin is a political prisoner
A car mechanic from Sverdlovsk Oblast has been sentenced to 12 years in a strict regime penal colony for transferring 100 Polish zlotys to a charity
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Yevgeny Varaksin a political prisoner. Varaksin has been convicted of treason for providing financial assistance to a foreign state in activities directed against the security of the Russian Federation. The charge of treason is based on a money transfer he made to a Polish charity that provides humanitarian aid to Ukrainians. Yevgeny Varaksin’s prosecution and conviction violate his right to a fair trial. We demand Varaksin’s release and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.
What were the charges against Yevgeny Varaksin?
Shortly before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces, Yevgeny Varaksin, from the town of Lesnoy in Sverdlovsk Oblast, moved to Poland and found employment at a car factory. After the invasion began, he posted on his VK page a statement in which he condemned the war. In April 2022, he transferred 100 Polish zlotys to the Catholic humanitarian foundation Caritas, which, among other things, provides assistance to Ukrainians affected by the war.
In 2024, after his work visa expired, Varaksin returned to Russia. It is believed that an application he made for political asylum in Poland was refused.
On 22 July 2024, probably when Varaksin was crossing the border, Russian security officials found information on his smartphone about the transfer of money to Caritas and arrested him. He was charged with treason in the form of ‘providing financial assistance to a foreign or international organisation in activities directed against the security of the Russian Federation’ (Article 275 of the Russian Criminal Code). According to the prosecution, the money transferred was intended to be used ‘to purchase equipment, ammunition and tactical medical supplies for the Ukrainian armed forces.’
On 21 April, a court in Yekaterinburg sentenced Yevgeny Varaksin to 12 years in a strict regime penal colony and a fine of 300,000 roubles.
Why do we consider Yevgeny Varaksin a political prisoner?
The offence of treason, of which Varaksin was convicted, requires intent to harm the security of Russia. We doubt that the investigative authorities were able to prove that Varaksin had such intent.
The prosecution’s claim that the money Varkasin sent to the charity was used ‘to purchase equipment, ammunition and tactical medical supplies for the Ukrainian armed forces,’ is not credible. There is no evidence to suggest that Caritas Poland, a non-profit organisation known for its work in providing social assistance and humanitarian aid, has ever supported the Ukrainian military. Caritas has helped Ukrainian refugees in Poland and families affected by the war who remain in Ukraine.
It is far more likely that Varaksin intended by his donation to assist these same groups of people. He made the donation shortly after the full-scale invasion began. This is an understandable emotional response and an attempt to support Ukrainians who had become victims of Russian aggression.
It is hard to believe that by making a donation to a Polish charity, the young man intended to harm Russia’s security or could have done so in any real way. Even if he had somehow intended to undermine Russia’s security, the amount transferred was so small that it would hardly constitute a crime, let alone justify such a lengthy term of imprisonment.
Finally, the true threat to Russia’s security is not the provision of aid to Ukrainians, but the war of aggression launched by the Russian authorities.
A detailed description of Yevgeny Varaksin’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 Yevgeny Varaksin at the following address:
RU: 620019, г. Екатеринбург, ул. Репина, д. 4, ФКУ СИЗО-1 ГУФСИН России по Свердловской области, Вараксину Евгению Алексеевичу, 1997 г. р.
EN: Yevgeny Alekseevich Varaksin (born 1997), Remand Prison No. 1, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Sverdlovsk Oblast, 4 Repina Street, Yekaterinburg, 620019, 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.
