The simple act of reading poetry has turn into a criminal offense for three Russian citizens, now designated prisoners of conscience by Amnesty International. Artyom Kamardin, Yegor Shtovba and Nikolai Dayneko were arrested in September 2022 following public readings of anti-war verse in Moscow, and have since been handed lengthy prison sentences. Their case highlights the increasingly severe crackdown on dissent in Russia following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and the lengths to which authorities are going to suppress even peaceful expressions of opposition to the conflict. The escalating repression raises concerns about the future of artistic freedom and human rights within the country.
The charges against the poets have shifted since their initial detention, reflecting what critics describe as a deliberate attempt to justify their imprisonment. Initially accused of “incitement of hatred and enmity” (Article 282(2)(a) of the Russian Criminal Code), the charges were later modified to “incitement of hatred done as an organized group” (Article 282(2)(v)), and further expanded to include “public calls to actions directed against the state security” (Article 280.4(3)) in March 2023. These legal maneuvers, according to observers, demonstrate a willingness to adapt the accusations to fit the political climate and ensure convictions. The case underscores the vulnerability of artists and intellectuals who dare to challenge the Kremlin’s narrative.
Poetry as Protest: The Events in Mayakovsky Square
The events leading to the arrests unfolded on September 25, 2022, in front of a monument to the renowned Russian poet Vladimir Mayakovsky in Moscow’s Mayakovskaya Square. The poets organized impromptu readings of their function, which openly criticized the war in Ukraine and expressed anti-militarist sentiments. These readings, while peaceful and public, were quickly deemed a threat by Russian authorities. Just three days later, on September 28, 2022, Kamardin, Shtovba, and Dayneko were taken into custody.
The arrest of Artyom Kamardin was particularly brutal, with Amnesty International documenting allegations of torture, including sexualized violence, during his detention and search of his apartment. Despite sustaining visible injuries, Kamardin was reportedly denied adequate medical attention. Amnesty International’s report details the harrowing conditions and ill-treatment experienced by the poets, raising serious concerns about due process and human rights violations.
Sentencing and Appeals
Nikolai Dayneko was the first to be sentenced, receiving a four-year prison term in May 2023 after entering a guilty plea. The circumstances surrounding his plea remain unclear, raising questions about potential coercion. Later, in December 2023, Artyom Kamardin was sentenced to seven years in prison, while Yegor Shtovba received a sentence of five and a half years. Both sentences were subsequently upheld on appeal, solidifying their imprisonment for expressing their views through poetry.
Marie Struthers, Amnesty International’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia Director, condemned the sentences as a blatant attack on freedom of expression. “What crime have these men committed? Reading poetry in public cannot threaten national security, nor did their poems express prohibited forms of hatred or contain calls to violence. Quite the opposite – the messaging was anti-violence and anti-Russia’s war of aggression. Their imprisonment is nothing but retaliation for daring to express their views,” she stated. Struthers further emphasized the severity of the allegations of torture against Kamardin, calling it “disgraceful” and demanding a thorough investigation.
Broader Implications for Freedom of Expression in Russia
The case of the three poets is not isolated. It forms part of a wider pattern of escalating repression against dissent in Russia, particularly since the start of the war in Ukraine. Numerous journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens have faced arrest, prosecution, and imprisonment for expressing opposition to the conflict or criticizing the government. The Russian government has implemented increasingly restrictive laws, including those targeting “discrediting” the armed forces, effectively silencing any form of public criticism. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, at least 19 journalists were imprisoned in Russia as of December 2023.
The crackdown extends beyond direct criticism of the war. Any expression deemed to challenge the official narrative or undermine national unity is increasingly vulnerable to prosecution. This chilling effect has led to widespread self-censorship and a shrinking space for independent thought and artistic expression. The imprisonment of Kamardin, Shtovba, and Dayneko serves as a stark warning to others who might consider speaking out against the government.
Amnesty International continues to call for the immediate and unconditional release of the three poets, urging Russian authorities to quash their convictions and investigate the allegations of torture. The organization emphasizes that their imprisonment violates fundamental human rights, including the right to freedom of expression, as enshrined in international law. The international community is also increasingly focused on the case, with calls for greater pressure on Russia to respect human rights and release political prisoners.
The next legal development in the case is currently unknown, as appeals have been exhausted. However, Amnesty International and other human rights organizations will continue to monitor the situation and advocate for the poets’ release. The case serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of freedom of expression and the importance of defending the rights of artists and intellectuals to speak truth to power.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available. If you have been affected by the issues in this report, or wish to support organizations working to defend human rights in Russia, please consider sharing this article and engaging in constructive dialogue.
