August 2026. The Russian political prisoner Andrei Trofimov has not been in touch with friends, family or human rights campaigners since April. They are all extremely worried.
Memorial: Support Political Prisoners reported:
There has been no contact with political prisoner Andrei Trofimov since April. He has not responded to letters and has not been brought out to meet with a lawyer. The situation was reported by journalist Vladimir Rayevsky, who has been corresponding with Andrei.
‘We have tried every possible avenue, but we are told that “he does not want to maintain contact with anyone” — which is nonsense, he is one of the most outgoing people I know — and that “he already has a lawyer”, which is untrue. On one occasion, a lawyer we had hired even travelled to Petrozavodsk at our request, but Andrei Trofimov was not brought out to see him,’ Vladimir Rayevsky wrote.
In March, it emerged that Andrei Trofimov had arrived at Penal Colony No. 9 in Petrozavodsk, Karelia. There has been no information to suggest he has since been transferred to another facility.
□ From outside Russia, the best we can do is to raise the profile of Andrei’s case and make it more widely known.
□ Together with the European Network in Defence of Ukraine, Ukraine Solidarity Campaign Scotland, and many others, we have been campaigning in western countries, in defence of Ukrainian prisoners in Russian prisons, and Russian political prisoners. We appeal to all to support Andrei at a time of need.
□ If you can help, please contact us at 2022ukrainesolidarity[at]gmail[dot]com
□ We are preparing a public appeal, to be published in September. Let us know if you would like to add your name.
More information
□ A letter to MIT students from Putin’s dungeons, by Andrei Trofimov
□ News about Andrei Trofimov, from the Telegraph’s Ukraine: the Latest podcast (original is here, at about 35 minutes)
□ Andrei Trofimov’s speeches in court were included in the book Voices Against Putin’s War: protesters’ defiant speeches in Russian courts (order a copy, or download a free pdf, here).
□ Andrei’s speeches featured in the film Try Me For Treason, which you can view on youtube here.
□ From BBC Russian service: Политзаключенный Трофимов три месяца не выходит на связь из колонии
Ukraine Information Group 