Danylo Yefimov is a political prisoner

A student has been sentenced to 12 years in a strict regime penal colony for transferring $140 to a Ukrainian charity

The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Danylo Yefimov a political prisoner. Yefimov was convicted on a charge of treason for making monetary transfers that the investigative authorities alleged constituted financing of the Ukrainian armed forces. The criminal prosecution and conviction of Yefimov violated his right to a fair trial. We demand the immediate release of Danylo Yefimov and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.

What were the charges against Danylo Yefimov?

Danylo Yefimov is from the town of Snizhne in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine. He was a student at Southern Federal University in Rostov-on-Don. He holds both Russian and Ukrainian citizenship.

In December 2023, Yefimov was detained at Volgograd airport as he was about to travel with his family to Turkey for New Year’s Eve. He was then twice jailed on administrative-law charges for allegedly using obscene language. During these detentions, he was beaten and pressured into signing a confession.

He was then charged with treason (Article 275 of the Russian Criminal Code). According to the investigative authorities, Yefimov had transferred 5,200 Ukrainian hryvnias (around $140) to the Serhiy Prytula Foundation, allegedly for the purchase of weapons. On 15 January 2024 Yefimov was remanded in custody. He confessed to the charge.

The trial was held in camera. Testimony against him was provided by his girlfriend, his dormitory roommate, and one of his university lecturers. The lecturer claimed Yefimov had spoken out against the war in Ukraine, talked of war crimes, and ‘categorically refused to take part in patriotic events and educational programmes.’

On 2 July 2024, a court in Rostov sentenced Danylo Yefimov to 12 years in a strict regime penal colony, to be followed by one year of probation.

Why do we consider Danylo Yefimov a political prisoner?

We believe the criminal conviction of Danylo Yefimov is unfounded and politically motivated. Under international law, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is illegal and criminal. In this context, donations to Ukraine’s armed forces cannot be considered a crime. Support for Ukraine is aimed at repelling military aggression, not at undermining Russia’s security. Russia’s security is threatened by the war itself, launched by the Russian government.

The series of administrative-law jail terms to which Yefimov was subjected, his beating in detention and the threats made against him all point to the weakness of the prosecution’s case. We also believe that the punishment handed down to 19-year-old Danylo Yefimov, 12 years’ imprisonment in a strict regime penal colony, is grossly disproportionate to the alleged harm he caused, even if the charges had merit.

A detailed description of Danylo Yefimov’s case and of our position can be found 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 Danylo Yefimov at the following address:

RU: 410080, г. Саратов, Сокурский тракт, д. 57, ФКУ ИК-10 УФСИН России по Саратовской области, Ефимову Данилу Андреевичу, 2005 г. р.

EN: Danylo Andriyovych Yefimov (born 2005), Penal Colony No. 10, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Saratov Oblast, 57 Sokursky Trakt, Saratov, 410080, Russia.

You can also send emails via the ZT service (for payment with Russian 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 on our website.