In Russia, political prisoners are those who express dissent, criticize the ruling regime, or engage in civic and political activities that the authorities find undesirable. These include opposition politicians, activists, journalists, human rights defenders, participants in anti-war protests, and even ordinary citizens who voice their opinions on social media.
Persecution occurs through fabricated criminal cases, the use of repressive laws (such as those on "discrediting the army," "extremism," or "undesirable organizations"), and pressure from law enforcement and the judiciary, which serve the interests of the regime.
Examples:
Alexei Navalny – Russia’s leading opposition politician, arrested on January 18, 2021, and sentenced on politically motivated charges. He was killed in prison on February 16, 2024.
Vladimir Kara-Murza – politician sentenced to 25 years for anti-war statements. Released on August 1, 2024, as part of a prisoner exchange between Russia and democratic countries.
Ilya Yashin – opposition figure sentenced to 8 years and 6 months for speaking about war crimes in Ukraine. Released on August 1, 2024, along with Kara-Murza and 14 other political prisoners.
Navalny’s lawyers – Vadim Kobzev, Alexei Liptser, and Igor Sergunin were sentenced on January 17, 2025, to various prison terms for defending and representing Alexei Navalny.
Ordinary citizens – many receive prison sentences for anti-war social media posts or participating in peaceful protests.
What Does the Existence of Political Prisoners Indicate?
The presence of political prisoners in a country signifies that:
The government fears dissent and seeks to suppress any opposition.
The judiciary serves the regime rather than upholding the law.
There is no real freedom of speech or functioning democratic institutions.
Repression is used as a tool to intimidate society.
Political repression is a hallmark of authoritarian and totalitarian states, where the government refuses to tolerate criticism and is willing to eliminate opposition by any means necessary
Why Is It Important Not to Forget Political Prisoners?
Every day that political prisoners remain behind bars is a day of injustice. When society forgets about them, the government can continue repression unchecked, increasing the number of prisoners of conscience.
Forgetting leads to impunity. However, if the issue remains in the public eye, pressure on the regime grows—both domestically and internationally. Many political prisoners have survived and retained hope thanks to public attention.
History shows that even the most repressive regimes are forced to respond to public pressure. The Soviet Union, for example, was compelled to release dissidents under pressure from the West and internal human rights movements.
How Can You Help Political Prisoners?
Write letters – Support from the outside world is crucial. Letters give prisoners strength, show them they are not forgotten, and make it harder for prison authorities to mistreat them.
Spread information – Talk about political prisoners on social media, at protests, and in conversations. The more people know, the harder it is for the government to hide the problem.
Support families – Many prisoners have spouses, children, and parents who need financial, moral, and legal assistance.
Join international campaigns – Sign petitions, contact international organizations, and demand sanctions against those responsible for repression.
Support human rights organizations – Groups like Memorial (banned in Russia but active abroad), OVD-Info, and Russia Behind Bars provide legal and informational support to political prisoners.
Why Should Everyone Participate—Even Just by Writing a Letter?
Political prisoners are not behind bars for crimes; they are imprisoned for defending our freedoms—the right to speak, think, and protest. Their silence is forced; our silence is voluntary.
A letter is the least anyone can do. It is a sign of solidarity, a way to show the government that the prisoner is not forgotten, and a means to support someone in isolation. For a political prisoner, a letter represents hope and a reminder that people outside prison walls are fighting for their freedom.
Helping political prisoners is not just about supporting individuals—it is a fight for the freedom of an entire country. As long as political prisoners exist, no one can truly be free.