Nikita Chernichkin is a political prisoner
An animal rights activist from Ryazan has been sentenced to six years’ imprisonment for comments on Odnoklassniki
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Nikita Chernichkin a political prisoner. For comments Chernichkin posted on the Odnoklassniki social media platform, he was convicted of spreading information known to be false about the Russian armed forces, motivated by political hatred; insulting the memory of a defender of the Homeland; and making public calls to engage in terrorism. Chernichkin’s prosecution and conviction violated his rights to freedom of expression and a fair trial. We demand his immediate release and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.
What were the charges against Nikita Chernichkin?
Nikita Chernichkin is an animal rights activist from Ryazan. After the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, he frequently engaged in online arguments with supporters of the war on Odnoklassniki. In June 2023, he was fined under administrative proceedings for ‘discrediting the armed forces’ by painting anti-war graffiti.
Chernichkin was later charged with ‘insulting the memory of a defender of the Fatherland’ (Article 354.1, Part 4, of the Russian Criminal Code) for a comment under a post about the death of a Russian soldier in Hostomel near Kyiv in Ukraine. He was detained, it is believed, in early August 2023. Further charges followed, also based on comments on Odnoklassniki: spreading information known to be false about the Russian armed forces, motivated by political hatred (Article 207.3, Part 2); and making calls to engage in terrorism (Article 205.2, Part 2). Concerning the latter, the investigative authorities claimed some of these comments constituted ‘incitement of actions against senior officials.’
On 7 June 2024, Nikita Chernichkin was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment in a general regime penal colony.
Why do we consider Nikita Chernichkin a political prisoner?
The article criminalising ‘dissemination of information known to be false,’ under which Chernichkin was convicted, was added to the Russian Criminal Code immediately after the start of the full-scale war against Ukraine. In practice, this article prohibits the dissemination of any information about the war that differs from the official government version. Any prosecution on this charge represents a violation of the right to freedom of expression and is unlawful.
The two other charges brought against Chernichkin are also frequently used by the Russian authorities to target dissenters, particularly those who oppose the war.
The charge of ‘insulting the memory of a defender of the Homeland’ relates to a comment Chernichkin made about a soldier killed in the unlawful invasion of Ukraine. We consider it inappropriate to describe such an individual as a ‘defender of the Homeland’ and believe the charge to be without merit.
Although the exact words for which Chernichkin was convicted of ‘making calls to engage in terrorism’ are not known, the circumstances suggest they contained expressions of opposition to the war and support for Ukraine. Such statements pose no danger to the public. A six-year sentence for such remarks is clearly disproportionate and politically motivated.
We consider that Chernichkin’s conviction represents both retribution by the authorities for his consistent anti-war stance and an attempt to intimidate other Russians who oppose the war.
A detailed description of Nikita Chernichkin’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 Nikita Chernikhin at the following address:
RU:
390506, Рязанская область, п. Стенькино, ФКУ ИК-6 УФСИН России по Рязанской области, Черничкину Никите Евгеньевичу 1988 г. р.
EN:
Nikita Evgenyevich Chernichkin (born 1988), Penal Colony No. 6, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Ryazan Oblast, Stenkino village, Ryazan Oblast, 390506, Russia.
You can also send an email using the F-Pismo and ZT services (for payment with Russian bank cards) or PrisonMail (for payment with other 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.
