Ilya Zabolotsky is a political prisoner
A resident of Novoaltaisk has been sentenced to five years in a strict regime penal colony for attempting to join the Ukrainian armed forces
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Ilya Zabolotsky a political prisoner. Zabolotsky was convicted on a charge of preparing to commit treason for attempting to join the Ukrainian armed forces. Zabolotsky’s criminal prosecution and conviction violated his right to a fair trial. We demand that Zabolotsky be immediately released and that all charges against him be dropped.
What were the charges against Ilya Zabolotsky?
Ilya Zabolotsky, a resident of Novoaltaisk in Altai Krai, is believed to have been a student at the Siberian State Transport University. In December 2023, he was detained while attempting to cross the border into Georgia. Initially charged with petty hooliganism and jailed for 15 days under administrative law, he was subsequently remanded in custody (most likely in early January 2024) on a criminal charge.
According to the investigative authorities, Zabolotsky opposed Russia’s war against Ukraine and tried to join a unit of the Ukrainian armed forces. The FSB claimed he had submitted an application to enlist in a Ukrainian military unit and attempted to travel to Ukraine via Georgia. He was charged with preparing to commit treason by intending to go over to the enemy’s side (Article 30, Part 1, in conjunction with Article 275 of the Russian Criminal Code).
The trial was held in camera. On 28 October 2024, Zabolotsky was convicted and sentenced to five years in a strict regime penal colony and one year of probation on release.
Why do we consider Zabolotsky a political prisoner?
According to international law, Russia’s military actions against Ukraine are illegal and criminal, while Ukraine’s actions in self-defence are lawful and justified. Since the principles of international law form an integral part of the Russian legal system, participation in the defence of Ukraine against aggression is therefore lawful and not grounds for prosecution.
The only form of participation in military action that is prohibited for a foreign national under international law is mercenarism. However, Zabolotsky’s actions do not meet the criteria for mercenarism, in particular because his motive was not financial gain but rather opposition to Russian aggression against Ukraine.
Had Zabolotsky joined one of the units of the Ukrainian armed forces and subsequently been taken captive, he could not lawfully have been prosecuted for merely participating in combat. However, Zabolotsky never in fact joined the Ukrainian armed forces. It is clear that punishing someone for preparing to commit an act that is not itself a crime runs counter to both the principle of justice and common sense.
Zabolotsky’s trial was held in camera and without public oversight in violation of his right to a fair hearing.
A detailed description of Ilya Zabolotsky’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 send a letter to the following address:
RU: 460019, г. Оренбург, ул. Техническая, д. 2, ФКУ ИК-4 УФСИН России по Оренбургской области, Заболотский Илья Витальевич, 2003 г. р.
EN: Ilya Vitalievich Zabolotsky (born 2003), Penal Colony No. 4, Federal Penitentiary Service for Orenburg Oblast, 2 Tekhnicheskaya Street, Orenburg, 460019, Russia.
You can also send an email using 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.
