Sergei Temyashov is a Political Prisoner
A blogger from Oryol has been sentenced to five years in a general regime penal colony for publishing an anti-war article on VK
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Sergei Temyashov a political prisoner. Temyashov was convicted on a charge of spreading information known to be false about the Russian army for a publication on the VK social media platform. Temyashov’s prosecution and conviction violated his rights to freedom of expression and a fair trial. We demand the immediate release of Sergei Temyashov and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.
What were the charges against Sergei Temyashov?
Sergei Temyashov, who is from Oryol, was convicted on a charge of spreading politically motivated ‘fake news’ about the Russian army (Article 207.3, Part 2 [e], of the Russian Criminal Code) for publications he made in July 2023. It is likely that the case concerns his article ‘The Essence of War’, which he posted on his VK page. In this text, Temyashov analysed in detail Russia’s war of aggression launched against Ukraine, discussed its consequences, and compared the actions of Russia with those of Nazi Germany.
‘Well, tell me, who needs war? We always said, ‘No to war’ and ‘So long as there is no war.’ What did our grandfathers fight for between 1941 and 1945? Do you think veterans of the Second World War are happy about what is happening now? What do they feel? They fought so we would have a future, and now there will be no future, thanks to our Tsar (Vladimir Putin) and to those who support the war, because if it were not for you, none of this would have happened, because there would be no one to fight. After all, it is not Putin who is fighting, but his people. Our future is to pay reparations to Ukraine for many years and to be a pariah country,’ Temyashov wrote.
On 14 November 2024, a court in Oryol sentenced Temyashov to five years’ imprisonment in a general regime penal colony, with a two-year ban on managing websites after his release. His sentence was upheld on appeal.
Why do we consider Sergei Temyashov a political prisoner?
The offence of spreading information known to be false about the Russian army, for which Sergei Temyashov was convicted, was introduced into the Russian Criminal Code immediately after the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine. It effectively prohibits any criticism of the Russian authorities or the military, in violation of the civil right to freedom of expression. This law contradicts the Russian Constitution, and therefore any prosecution brought under it is unlawful.
When Temyashov analysed the causes and consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, he was merely exercising his right to freedom of expression, enshrined in the Constitution, and therefore his prosecution is unlawful.
A detailed description of Sergei Temyashov’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 Sergei Temyashov at the following address:
In Russian: 303900, Орловская область, п. Нарышкино, ул. Заводская, д. 62, ФКУ ИК-5 УФСИН России по Орловской области, Темяшов Сергей Александрович, 1996 г. р.
In English: Sergei Aleksandrovich Temyashov (born 1996), Penal Colony No. 5, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Oryol Oblast, 62 Zavodskaya Street, Naryshkino village, Oryol Oblast, 303900, Russia.
You can also send an email using the F-Pismo and ZT services (for payment with Russian bank cards), PrisonMail (for payment with other 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.
