Roman Ponomarenko is a political prisoner
A former military medical officer has been sentenced to 18 years in a strict regime penal colony for serving in the Donbas-Ukraine Battalion
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Roman Ponomarenko a political prisoner. Ponomarenko was convicted on charges of participating in a terrorist organisation and receiving training for the purpose of carrying out terrorist activity, solely for serving in a unit of the Ukrainian armed forces. Ponomarenko’s prosecution and conviction violated his right to a fair trial and the rights and protections guaranteed by the Geneva Convention on the Treatment of Prisoners of War. We demand that Roman Ponomarenko’s conviction be quashed and that his treatment be in full compliance with international law.
What were the charges against Roman Ponomarenko?
Roman Ponomarenko, a former member of the Ukrainian military, was detained in March 2024 on Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory.
According to the Russian investigative authorities, in 2020, Ponomarenko underwent training before joining the 46th Separate Special Forces Battalion of the Ukrainian armed forces, known as ‘Donbas-Ukraine.’ For a year, he worked at the location of the former Siverskodonetsk airport, where he was a health inspector treating the sick and wounded. He was charged with receiving training for the purpose of carrying out terrorist acts (Article 205.3 of the Russian Criminal Code) and participating in a terrorist group (Article 205.4, Part 2).
In court, Ponomarenko stated: ‘I served as an ordinary medical officer and committed no crimes. I only fulfilled my duties in a medical capacity.’
On 22 October 2024 Ponomarenko was sentenced to 18 years in a strict regime penal colony.
Why do we consider Roman Ponomarenko a political prisoner?
Ponomarenko was prosecuted on a charge of taking part in a terrorist group solely for serving in the Donbas-Ukraine Battalion. The designation of this Ukrainian unit by a Russian court as a terrorist organisation is both unlawful and unfounded. The Battalion forms part of the Ukrainian armed forces and operates under the country’s military command. Anti-terrorism laws are not applicable in the context of the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
The charge of receiving training for the purpose of carrying out terrorist acts is also baseless. Ponomarenko underwent training to carry out standard military duties assigned to him as a military serviceman.
Under international law, Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine is illegal and criminal, whereas Ukraine’s efforts to defend itself are both lawful and justified. Defending one’s country from armed invasion is not a crime.
Ponomarenko was not accused of any war crimes. He was convicted solely for having belonged to a particular military unit. The prosecution of Ukrainian military personnel, including former servicemen, for involvement in combat operations constitutes a serious violation of the Geneva Conventions on the Treatment of Prisoners of War and on the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War. Taken together, the violations committed by the Russian authorities in Ponomarenko’s case may be considered a war crime.
A detailed description of Roman Ponomarenko’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?
If you know in which penal facility Roman Ponomarenko is being held, please contact us via our bot or by email: [email protected]
You can donate to help all political prisoners in Russia.
