Valery Perov is a political prisoner
An electrician from Nizhny Novgorod has been sentenced to 11 years in a general regime penal colony on charges of justifying terrorism and collusion with a foreign organisation for posts and correspondence on Telegram
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Valery Perov a political prisoner. Perov was convicted, on the basis of posts and correspondence on Telegram, of collusion with a foreign organisation in activities knowingly directed against Russian security and of publicly justifying terrorism. Perov’s prosecution and conviction violated his right to a fair trial. We demand the immediate release of Valery Perov and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.
What were the charges against Valery Perov?
On 5 October 2023, FSB officers disguised as electricians forced their way into Valery Perov’s apartment. While his wife was physically restrained, Perov was beaten with a stun gun. During the search, the law enforcement officers seized a mobile phone, a traumatic pistol and a Ukrainian flag. The following day, Perov was remanded in custody.
According to the prosecution, Perov had allegedly contacted the Free Russia Legion and the Ukrainian project ‘I Want to Live’ via Telegram, offering to gather information and encourage Russian soldiers to surrender. These actions were interpreted by the investigative authorities as ‘collusion with a foreign organisation for the purpose of assisting it in activities knowingly directed against the security of the Russian Federation’ (Article 275.1 of the Russian Criminal Code).
In addition, he was charged with public justification of terrorism (Article 205.2, Part 2), based on claims that he had posted comments in support of the Free Russia Legion on Telegram channels.
Perov denied all allegations, stating he had no contact with either named group, did not post anything about the Legion, and that the phone allegedly seized during the search had been planted on him.
On 24 October 2024, a military court sentenced Valery Perov to 11 years’ imprisonment in a general regime penal colony, a fine of 500,000 roubles, and one year’s probation on his release.
Why do we consider Valery Perov a political prisoner?
The offence of ‘collusion’ was introduced into the Russian Criminal Code in July 2022 and has become yet another means of suppressing dissent. Its vague wording effectively criminalises almost any communication between Russian citizens and foreigners. This article of the Criminal Code must be rescinded, all related criminal convictions quashed, and ongoing prosecutions closed.
We consider the designation of the Free Russia Legion as a terrorist organisation unlawful and unfounded. Therefore, even if Perov had expressed support for the Legion, this would constitute support for the Ukrainian armed forces resisting Russian military aggression, not justification of terrorism.
Moreover, in the trial, it was not proven that Perov committed the acts with which he had been charged. The only witness who gave testimony against him was an FSB officer. Perov’s claim that the phone was planted on him was not adequately investigated. The weak evidential basis suggests the case may have been fabricated.
A detailed description of Valery Perov’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 of, their views, statements, or actions.
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