Danil Berdyugin is a political prisoner
A student has been sentenced to six years in a strict regime penal colony on charges of attempting to illegally cross the border and join the Free Russia Legion
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Danil Berdyugin a political prisoner. Berdyugin was convicted on criminal charges of attempting to illegally cross the border and preparing to commit treason. Berdyugin’s prosecution and conviction violated his right to a fair trial. We demand that all criminal charges against Danil Berdyugin be dropped.
What were the charges against Danil Berdyugin?
On 20 October 2022, Danil Berdyugin, an 18-year-old student at Novosibirsk Medical College, left his home without informing his parents. According to Berdyugin’s mother, he later told her while already travelling that he intended to ‘go to the front to help the wounded.’ She herself believed he travelled to Kursk to meet his girlfriend who is from Ukraine.
On 24 October, Berdyugin was detained at a train station in Kursk. He was then subjected to a series of short jail terms on fabricated administrative-law charges, during which he was denied contact with his relatives and access to an independent lawyer. Subsequently, Berdyugin was charged with attempting to illegally cross the border (Article 30, Part 3, in conjunction with Article 322, Part 1, of the Russian Criminal Code) and with preparing to commit treason (Article 30, Part 1, in conjunction with Article 275). The investigative authorities claimed Berdyugin had tried to join the Free Russia Legion. His criminal case is entirely classified.
On 3 August 2023, Kursk Regional Court sentenced Berdyugin to six years in a strict regime penal colony, with an additional one year’s probation on release.
Why do we consider Danil Berdyugin a political prisoner?
Danil Berdyugin’s case must be considered in the context of Russia’s criminal war against Ukraine. The UN General Assembly has recognised Russia’s actions as aggression. Russia’s military actions against Ukraine are unlawful and criminal, while Ukraine’s actions in defending itself from aggression are lawful and justified. Therefore, the participation of foreigners, including Russians, in military activities on Ukraine’s side should not be regarded as a crime. While mercenary activity is nonetheless illegal, Berdyugin’s possible involvement with the Free Russia Legion does not qualify as mercenary activity under international law.
Furthermore, the maximum punishment for attempting to illegally cross the border is 18 months’ imprisonment. Regardless, then, of the validity of the accusations, Berdyugin has already served any sentence relating to this charge.
Before the initiation of the criminal case, Berdyugin was repeatedly subjected to short terms in jail on administrative-law charges. Such ‘carousel arrests’ are a common method of putting pressure on the victims of politically motivated prosecutions and indirectly suggest the weakness of the prosecution’s position. During the investigation, the authorities put pressure on Berdyugin and his parents were discouraged from hiring an independent lawyer. The hearings in his case were held behind closed doors, in violation of Berdyugin’s right to a public and fair trial.
A detailed description of Danil Berdyugin’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 Danil Berdyugin at the following address:
In Russian: 429900, Чувашская Республика, г. Цивильск, ул. Северная, д. 13, ФКУ ИК-9 УФСИН России по Чувашской Республике, Бердюгину Данилу Александровичу 2003 г. р.
In English: Danil Aleksandrovich Berdyugin (born 2003), Penal Colony No. 9, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for the Chuvash Republic, 13 Severnaya Street, Tsivilsk, Chuvash Republic, 429900, Russia.
You can also send emails via ZT (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.
