Liudmila Tetenyova is a political prisoner
А cleaner from Kurgan, was sentenced to eight years in a penal colony for reposting criticism of Putin and the war against Ukraine on Odnoklassniki.
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Liudmila Tetenyova a political prisoner. Tetenyova was convicted of spreading information known to be false about the Russian army and of making calls to engage in terrorism for reposting anti-war and anti-Putin publications on the Odnoklassniki social media site. Her prosecution and conviction violated her rights to freedom of expression and fair trial. We demand the release of Liudmila Tetenyova and that all criminal charges against her be dropped.
What were the charges against Liudmila Tetenyova?
Liudmila Tetenyova, a 59-year-old woman from Kurgan, was accused of reposting several publications on her page on the Odnoklassniki social media site between April and August 2022. The reposts in question were about the Russian army’s strikes on civilian objects in Ukraine and a statement that it was necessary to ‘finish’ with Putin and drop a bomb on the Kremlin.
Tetenyova was charged with two criminal offences: spreading information known to be false motivated by political hatred (Article 207, Part 2 [e], of the Russian Criminal Code) and making calls to engage in terrorism (Article 205.2, Part 2). Tetenyova admitted that she had clicked the ‘like’ button on these posts, which automatically displayed them on her page.
On 25 June 2024, a military court sentenced Liudmila Tetenyova to eight years in a penal colony. Tetenyova was taken into custody in the courtroom. Her sentence was upheld on appeal.
Why do we consider Liudmila Tetenyova a political prisoner?
The article of the Criminal Code criminalising the spreading of information known to be false about the Russian army was adopted into law immediately after the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine. The law effectively bans any criticism of the Russian authorities or military, in violation of the civil right to freedom of expression. The article contradicts the Russian Constitution and therefore any prosecutions based on it are unlawful.
The article of the Criminal Code criminalising the making of calls to engage in terrorism is also frequently used to prosecute the expression of dissenting opinions. In our view the posts Tetenyova ‘liked’ were emotional statements, not actual calls for action to be taken. Tetyonova’s liking of the posts should therefore be considered as expression of opinion, rather than calls to engage in terrorism. Tetenyova herself testified in court that she did not perceive these posts as calls to engage in action but merely as a way to express one’s anti-war stance.
We believe Tetenyova’s actions did not pose a real danger to the public and her anti-war statements are of value to society.
A detailed description of the case of Liudmila Tetenyova 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.
How can you help?
You can write to Liudmila Tetenyova at the following address:
RU: 641200, Курганская область, р. п. Юргамыш, ул. Труда, д. 147, ФКУ ИК-7 УФСИН России по Курганской области, Тетенёвой Людмиле Ильиничне, 1965 г. р.
EN: Liudmila Ilinichna Tetenyova (born 1965), Penal Colony No. 7, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Kurgan Oblast, 147 Trud Street, Yurgamysh workers’ settlement, Kurgan Oblast, 641200.
You can also send an email using the ZT service (for payment with Russian bank cards).
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.
