Oleg Savvin is a political prisoner
A Kaliningrad activist faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment for an anti-war online comment made three years ago
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Oleg Savvin a political prisoner. Savvin is being prosecuted on a charge of spreading information known to be false about the use of the Russian armed forces for a post on VK. Savvin’s prosecution violates his rights to freedom of expression and a fair trial. We demand that Oleg Savvin be released and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.
What are the charges against Oleg Savvin?
Oleg Savvin is an activist from Kaliningrad. In 2015, he was sentenced to imprisonment for one year and one month on a charge of hooliganism motivated by hatred for hanging, together with other activists, a German flag on the garage of the FSB headquarters in Kaliningrad in protest against the annexation of Crimea. At that time, we recognised Savvin and the other defendants in the case as political prisoners.
Oleg Savvin was arrested again on 19 March 2025 for an anti-war comment he had posted on VK three years earlier, on 5 May 2022. Savvin had written: ‘It can be said with complete confidence that the essence of the Kremlin’s full-scale aggression against Ukraine is not only anti-human but is anti-life in principle. Russian soldiers are committing not only crimes against humanity but also crimes against planet Earth and all life currently inhabiting it.’ A criminal case was opened against Savvin on a charge of spreading information known to be false about the Russian army, motivated by political and ideological hatred (Article 207.3, Part 2, of the Russian Criminal Code). On 20 March 2025, a court remanded Oleg Savvin in custody. He faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment if convicted.
Why do we consider Oleg Savvin a political prisoner?
The article of the Russian Criminal Code criminalising ‘spreading information known to be false about the use of the Russian army,’ under which Oleg Savvin is being prosecuted, was adopted into law shortly after the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine. The article effectively bans the dissemination of any information about the war that differs from the official version, violating the right to freedom of expression. The law contradicts not only the Russian Constitution and Russia’s international obligations, but also fundamental principles of law, particularly that of legal certainty, since a citizen cannot know in advance what information may be deemed false. It is also impossible to prove intent or prior knowledge that the information is false. We believe all charges under this article to be unlawful.
In our view, criticism of the war and efforts to draw public attention to war crimes cannot be considered crimes. These actions serve the public interest, and Savvin’s statements should not be grounds for criminal prosecution.
We believe that in this case, law enforcement agencies are seeking retribution against the opposition activist for his anti-war activities.
A detailed description of Oleg Savvin’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 Oleg Savvin at the following address:
RU:
236022, Калининград, ул. Ушакова, д. 2-4, ФКУ СИЗО-1 УФСИН России по Калининградской области, Саввину Олегу Сергеевичу, 1988 г.р.
EN:
Oleg Sergeevich Savvin (born 1988), Remand Prison No. 1, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Kaliningrad Oblast, 2-4 Ushakova Street, Kaliningrad, 236022, Russia.
You can also send emails using the F-Pismo and ZT services (for payment with Russian bank cards) or 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.
