Karelian historian Yuri Dmitriev was transferred to Mordovia

Karelian historian and human rights activist Yuri Dmitriev, Which at the end of 2021 was sentenced to 15 years in prison, was transferred to the colony of maximum regime in Mordovia. About this writes "Interfax" with reference to the lawyer Dmitriev Viktor Anufriev.

The historian will serve the sentence in IK-18 in the village of Potma. Dmitriev should spend another 10 years in the colony.

Mordovian colonies are one of the largest complexes of correctional institutions, the history of which dates back to the first years of the Gulag. In 1931, a Temnikovsky camp was opened there with management in the village of Yavas. In 1948, with the advent of a network of special camps, it was transformed into a special lacing No. 3 or an oak -dubish camp.

With the abolition of the Gulag system, Mordovian camps did not disappear. The complex of correctional colonies, some of which were intended for convicts "for especially dangerous state crimes" unofficially continued to be called a dubelag.

Dmitriev’s case

The first criminal case against Yuri Dmitriev was opened in 2016. The historian was accused of manufacturing children's pornography with the participation of the adopted daughter. Dmitriev’s court acquitted, but in 2018 a new case was brought up at him, accusing, in addition to making pornography, sexual violence against his daughter, depraved actions and illegal storage of weapons.

Two years later, Dmitriev was found guilty of violent actions and sentenced to 3.5 years in the colony. According to articles on the manufacture and storage of pornography, depraved actions, and even the storage of weapons, according to which the first court passed a conviction, the historian was justified.

Taking into account the time, Dmitriev had to be released in November. But in September 2020, the Supreme Court of Karelia in an appeal unexpectedly tightened the sentence of Dmitriev to 13 years in a maximum security colony. The decision of the Supreme Court also abolished the acquittals of other prosecutions, the case was sent for a new consideration. Given the last decision of the Petrozavodsk City Court, he was increased to up to 15 years.

The historian denies guilt for all charges. His supporters are convinced that all cases against him are fabricated by the authorities as a revenge for human rights activities. Dmitriev is known as one of the openers of the largest burial for the victims of political repression in Karelia. The Union of Journalists of Karelia and famous cultural figures in Russia previously acted as his defense.

The European Union , scientists from around the world and artists, were demanded to free Dmitriev, including the Laureate of the Nobel Prize in Literature of John Kutzey.