Sergei Arbuzov (Burkevich) is a political prisoner

A Vologda taxi driver has been sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for comments he made five years ago about the suicide bombing by the anarchist Mikhail Zhlobitsky

The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Sergei Arbuzov (Burkevich) a political prisoner. He has been convicted on a charge of justification of terrorism for comments he made online. Arbuzov’s prosecution and conviction violate his right to fair trial. We demand that Arbuzov’s conviction be quashed, that his case be reviewed in accordance with international standards of justice, and that the allegation violence was used against him at the time of his arrest be investigated.

What were the charges against Sergei Arbuzov?

On 1 November 2018, Sergei Arbuzov saw a press report that Mikhail Zhlobitsky, a young anarchist, had blown himself up at the FSB building in Arkhangelsk, killing himself and injuring three FSB officers. Arbuzov commented several times about this event on one of the groups on the VK social media site. In particular, Arbuzov wrote: ‘At least he did something… He let you feel you’re not alone in understanding what is going on these days…’

In the spring of 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Arbuzov, who worked as a taxi driver, was out of a job. Together with a friend, he committed several burglaries of garages. The two were arrested but released under travel restrictions.

On 25 June 2020, Arbuzov was summoned to the police station. There he was beaten and forced to confess to a charge of justifying terrorism (Article 205.2, Part 2, of the Russian Criminal Code) in the online comments he had made in 2018.

A few days before his trial, Arbuzov married and took his wife’s surname – Burkevich.

His trial on the charge of justifying terrorism, on the basis of a plea bargain, was over in one day – 15 October 2020. Arbuzov was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment.

On 7 May 2021, Burkevich was additionally convicted on the charge of theft. His overall sentence was increased to six years in a strict regime colony; his accomplice in the thefts was given a suspended sentence.

Why do we consider Arbuzov a political prisoner?

The article on justification of terrorism is widely used by the Russian authorities as an instrument of repression against dissidents. After Zhlobitsky’s suicide bombing, the FSB launched a repressive campaign against people who publicly tried to understand and explain the reasons for the young anarchist’s act. Dozens of people were prosecuted, and many received terms of imprisonment solely for expressing their opinions. In this way, the security forces sought to suppress an important public debate about the role of the FSB in society and intimidate its critics.

In Arbuzov’s case, the court did not take into account the context of his statements, failed to fairly assess their danger to society and distorted his intentions. Arbuzov did not justify what Zhlobitsky did; nor did he incite others to commit similar acts.

Sergei Arbuzov was also convicted of theft. However, in our view, he is behind bars exclusively because of his online comments.

A detailed description of Sergei Arbuzov’s case and of our position is are 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 Sergei Arbuzov (Burkevich) at the following address:

In Russian: 162700, Вологодская область, Череповецкий р-н, п. Суда, ул. Заря, д. 11, ФКУ КП-7 УФСИН по Вологодской области, Буркевичу Сергею Александровичу 1977 г. р.

In English: Sergei Aleksandrovich Burkevich (born 1977), Low Security Penal Colony No. 7, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Vologda Oblast, 11 Zarya Street, Suda Settlement, Cherepovetsky district, Vologda Oblast, 162700, Russia.

You can send an email via Zonatelecom (for payment with Russian cards), PrisonMail (for other cards), or OVD-Info (free of charge).

Please note that letters in languages other than Russian are highly unlikely to reach the recipient.

You can donate to support all political prisoners in Russia.