Pavel Yelmanov is a political prisoner
A Moscow Oblast resident was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment on charges of attempting to join the Azov Battalion, justifying terrorism, and possessing ammunition.
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Pavel Yelmanov a political prisoner. Yelmanov was convicted on charges of preparation to commit treason and to participate in the activities of a terrorist organisation on the grounds that he allegedly intended to join the Azov Battalion. He was also convicted of justifying terrorism and unlawful possession of ammunition for a voice message sent via Telegram and six cartridges found at his home. Yelmanov’s criminal prosecution and conviction violated his right to a fair trial. We demand that his convictions for treason and terrorism be quashed, and that his conviction for possession of ammunition be reviewed in a fair trial.
What were the charges against Pavel Yelmanov?
Pavel Yelmanov is a resident of Moscow Oblast. On 3 May 2023, under the guise of an investigative operation, law enforcement officers carried out a full-scale search of Yelmanov’s apartment. As a result, items seized included a military uniform, various kinds of equipment and several cartridges, as well as Yelmanov’s computer and telephone.
That same day, Yelmanov was detained in Moscow. On 4 May 2023, he was jailed for 10 days on an administrative-law charge of petty hooliganism. While serving this sentence, he was detained as a suspect in a criminal case.
Yelmanov was accused of preparing to commit treason (Article 30, Part 1, in conjunction with Article 275 of the Russian Criminal Code) and preparing to participate in the activities of a terrorist organisation (Article 30, Part 1, in conjunction with Article 205.5, Part 2) for allegedly planning to join the Azov Battalion and engaging in online correspondence with military service personnel from that unit. He was also charged with justifying terrorism (Article 205.2, Part 2) for a voice message sent via Telegram in which he referred to the explosion on the Crimean Bridge. In addition, he was charged with unlawful possession of ammunition for six cartridges found in his home (Article 222, Part 1).
On 27 June 2024, Pavel Yelmanov was found guilty on all counts and sentenced to a term of 10 years’ imprisonment.
Why do we consider Pavel Yelmanov a political prisoner?
There are serious doubts as to whether Pavel Yelmanov actually intended to join the Azov Battalion. However, even if he did so intend, this would not constitute any criminal offence. The designation of the Azov Battalion as a terrorist organisation is unlawful and unfounded. In reality, Azov is a unit of the Ukrainian National Guard, and its activities are not terrorism but legitimate support for a state defending itself from armed aggression.
We also consider Yelmanov’s criminal prosecution on a charge of treason for joining the enemy’s side to be unlawful. Under international law, and therefore under Russian law, the only prohibited form of participation by a foreign national in armed conflict is mercenarism, which is not applicable to those who joined the Azov Battalion.
Moreover, the simultaneous charges of preparing both to join a terrorist organisation and to commit treason are logically inconsistent. If Yelmanov’s actions are considered as going over to the enemy’s side, then the Azov Battalion is recognised as part of Ukraine’s armed force and not as a terrorist organisation.
Yelmanov’s voice message did not constitute justification of terrorism. It expressed support for the lawful military actions of a country legitimately defending itself from aggression.
A detailed description of Yelmanov’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 Pavel Yelmanov at the following address:
RU:
600020, г. Владимир, ул. Большая Нижегородская, д. 67, ФКУ Т-2 УФСИН России по Владимирской области, Елманову Павлу Алексеевичу 1994 г. р.
EN:
Pavel Alekseevich Yelmanov (born 1994), Prison ‘T-2’, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Vladimir Oblast, 67 Bolshaya Nizhegorodskaya Street, Vladimir, 600020, Russia.
You can also send an email using the ZT service (for payment with Russian 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.
