Mikhail Zhilin
Mikhail Zhilin, born 1986, Novosibirsk Oblast. Charges: Article 322 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Crossing the border of the Russian Federation without proper documents); Article 338, Russian Criminal Code (Desertion); “Mikhail Zhilin's case of desertion”. Sentence (March 20, 2023): 6 years 6 months' imprisonment in a strict regime colony. Status: imprisoned; deprived of liberty since June 1, 2023; place of detention: Penal colony No. 3, Irkutsk Oblast. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as a political prisoner, July 26, 2023.
In brief
Novosibirsk Oblast · Novosibirsk · Military personnel · Anti-war cases
Sentence
6 years 6 months
imprisonment in a strict regime colony
Upheld June 1, 2023
Charges
- Article 322 part 1, Russian Criminal Code — Crossing the border of the Russian Federation without proper documents.
- Article 338, Russian Criminal Code — Desertion.
Full wording of the charges
Crossed the border with Kazakhstan after the military recruitment campaign was announced and sought for asylum. In a video message he stated that he refused to kill Ukrainian citizens.
Latest event
November 1, 2023 — imprisonment begins
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as a political prisoner — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners, July 26, 2023
Timeline
· Imprisonment begins
· Recognised as a political prisoner
Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
· Appeal ruling
upheld
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 6 years 6 months
· Persecution begins
Mikhail Zhilin's case of desertion
Criminal case
Mikhail Zhilin's case of desertion
- Case number
- 1-17/2023
Thematic group: Anti-war case
Write a letter
Facility: Penal colony No. 3, Irkutsk Oblast
Address (in Russian, as written on the envelope)
664019, Иркутская область, г. Иркутск, ул. Писарева, 13, ФКУ «ИК № 3 ГУФСИН России по Иркутской области», Жилин Михаил Алексеевич, 1986 г.р.
Details and sources
Full summary
Major of the Federal Guard Service. Crossed the border with Kazakhstan after mobilisation was announced and requested asylum. In a video message he stated that he refused to kill Ukrainian citizens. A case of illegal border crossing was also brought against Mr. Zhilin in Kazakhstan. On 2 December, he was sentenced to a 6 month suspended sentence and expulsion from the country. Mr. Zhilin tried to fly to Armenia, but he was detained at the airport. He was kept in custody. On 30 December, Mr. Zhilin was deported to Russia, where a case of desertion was opened against him. On 24 March 2023, he was sentenced to 6 years 6 months in a strict regime colony.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
Other people prosecuted under Article 322 part 1, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.