Resolution by the Federal Council of Yabloko, adopted by the Federal Council on 30.11.2024, published on 11.12.2024

Photo: Nikolai Rybakov at the Yabloko Congress in 2023 /Photo by the Yabloko Press Service

Today, there are about a thousand prisoners in Russian prisons, persecuted by the state for their political views and positions. The use of new articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation has become widespread: the dissemination of so-called fakes about the army (Article 207.3), as well as words or actions that, in the opinion of investigative bodies, discredit the Russian army (Article 280.3). Practice has shown that almost any statement by a citizen that does not correspond to the official line of state power in relation to the special military operation, which has been ongoing for three years, can fall under these articles.

These are people, hundreds of Russian citizens, who have not committed any serious crimes, but they were convicted for their words and their position. Increasingly more such people become convicted every day.

We need to stop.

We are convinced that the main demand of society to the state, especially during military operations and, consequently, endless killing of people, should be the demand for mercy. Without it, we will not have justice, security, well-being, or peace.

There has been no amnesty in Russia for almost ten years. This is the longest period in the history of our country since the 1970s! The last time an amnesty was announced was in 2015 and was timed to coincide with the 70th anniversary of Victory in the Second World War. Before that, an amnesty was announced for each five-year anniversary of Victory, as well as for other important dates.

On the eve of the 80th anniversary of the Victory [in the Second World War], we are putting forward an amnesty initiative: it is necessary, for humanitarian reasons, to release from custody and drop charges against all those convicted or under investigation under the “anti-war articles” of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation: under Article 207.3 (“Public dissemination of knowingly false information about the use of the Armed Forces”), Article 280.3 (“Public actions aimed at discrediting the use of the Armed Forces”) and Article 284.2 (“Calls for the introduction of restrictive measures against the Russian Federation”).

In the future, there will be required a broad public discussion of systemic legislative changes needed for the humanisation of our state. However, now we simply need to release people who suffered for their words and their courage to pronounce them.

We also call for the release from custody of all persons who are seriously ill, disabled people and women with children convicted of non-violent crimes.

Real Russia begins with mercy.

Nikolai Rybakov,

Yabloko Chairman