Vasily Bozhovsky is a political prisoner

A Moscow-based marketing specialist faces up to five years’ imprisonment on a charge of spreading ‘fake news’ about the Russian army

The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Vasily Bozhovsky a political prisoner. Bozhovsky is being prosecuted for social media posts on a criminal charge of disseminating information known to be false about the use of the Russian armed forces. Bozhovsky’s criminal prosecution violates his rights to freedom of expression and a fair trial. We demand the release of Vasily Bozhovsky and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.

What are the charges against Vasilii Bozhovsky?

Vasily Bozhovsky was detained on 10 April 2025 on a charge of disseminating ‘fake news’ about the Russian army (Article 207.3, Part 1, of the Russian Criminal Code). While the charge was based on Bozhovsky’s social media posts, we do not know which specific publications or platforms are at issue. Bozhovsky’s social media accounts have since been deleted.

Since 11 April, Bozhovsky has been under house arrest.

Why do we consider Vasily Bozhovsky a political prisoner?

The article of the Criminal Code on dissemination of information known to be false about the use of the Russian armed forces, under which Vasily Bozhovsky is being prosecuted, was adopted into law immediately after the launch of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine. In practice, the law bans the dissemination of any information about the war that differs from the official narrative, thereby violating citizens’ right to freedom of expression.

This article contradicts both the Russian Constitution and Russia’s international obligations. It also violates fundamental principles of law, particularly the principle of legal certainty. A citizen cannot know in advance what information might be considered false; still less is it possible to establish in law an intention to spread such information. We consider all charges brought under this article unlawful.

At present, we do not have access to the case materials and do not know the specific publications for which Bozhovsky is being prosecuted. Nonetheless, the very fact that he is being prosecuted under the article on ‘fake news’ about the army speaks to the fact that his posts posed no threat to society and most likely were critical of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Criticism of the war is beneficial to society and should not be treated as a crime.

A detailed description of Vasily Bozhovsky’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 donate to help all political prisoners in Russia.