Human Rights

Interview with Freed Prisoner of Conscience: Andrei Pivovarov

In July 2022, Russian political activist Andrei Pivovarov was sentenced to four years in prison for "carrying out activities of an undesirable organization." Pivovarov was prosecuted as the former head of Open Russia, a non-profit founded by exiled Kremlin critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky, despite the organization having already been dissolved after being designated as "undesirable." He was released in August 2024 as part of a historic prisoner exchange between the West and Russia involving 25 other detainees. Pivovarov now resides in Germany.

Q: You were taken off a flight on your way to Warsaw and sentenced to four years in prison. Given your previous detentions and attempts to silence you, did you expect this time to be different?

A: When you are involved in opposition politics in Russia, you always expect that you might be arrested or exposed to some other pressure, but I tried to operate legally. Despite previous repeated detentions, I believed that being radical within the law reduces the risk. 

Our organization was deemed "undesirable." Of course, we did not agree with this designation, but realizing that our activists were at risk after this illegal decision, we closed it down. Even from the point of view of the current repressive laws, this closure should have removed us from the criminal investigation. But the decision to lock me up was made at high levels, and in this case, the letter of the law was no longer important.

When I saw the FSB officers boarding the plane and when they drove me around the city with flashing lights, I realized that this would last a long time and a month's arrest would not be the end of it.

Q: Can you tell us about the trial and the charges against you?

A: When one talks about a trial in a functioning democracy, they imagine that the defendant has a right to a fair trial. In Russia, however, especially in political cases, the verdict is often known before the trial even begins. If you end up in pre-trial detention in Russia, there is a 90 percent chance you will go to jail.

During the investigation and trial, I communicated that the case was politically-motivated, an attempt to prevent me from running in elections. Despite this, I became a candidate right out of prison, and my posters were displayed in Moscow and Krasnodar. It was not a campaign to win, but rather a campaign by a political prisoner – to show that I would not give up.

I was accused of leading an "undesirable organization" and threatening Russia's constitutional order. At one point during the trial the prosecutor claimed that a Facebook post of mine endangered the country's constitutional order. I asked him not to humiliate my country by suggesting that a single post could destroy its foundations. Although this caused laughter and applause in the courtroom, I had already realized that the decision to arrest me had been made higher up so the court was just going through the motions.

Throughout my imprisonment, I felt a huge amount of support. I received many letters and people came to my trials. My arrest, coming before the war, was an early alarm bell for many, though few realized it was a preparatory stage for the larger conflict that broke out in February 2022. Putin had already begun a purge of opposition structures and independent media outlets.

Q: You spent most of your time in prison in complete isolation. What helped you keep hope alive during these years of imprisonment?

A:  Indeed, I spent most of my time in isolation. In Krasnodar I had one or two cellmates but for the last year and seven months, just a solitary cell. The first months were especially hard – not torture in the sense we're used to, but a quite subtle pressure.

It's difficult to get used to the isolation of being completely cut off from information.

To make the most of the time, it's important to practice self-discipline. One should set daily goals and tasks. Exercise regularly, not for muscle-building but to feel tired and overcome challenges. Respond to emails promptly. If writing, meet your deadlines. Take advantage of every opportunity, whether a walk or some time to read or write. These small victories and achievements can help you endure.

The support of loved ones and strangers also helped me endure. I received many emails and tried to make the most of every opportunity, fighting for small improvements to my conditions. These little victories and achievements sustained me through the challenge of prison.

Q: Has your idea of "freedom" changed after your imprisonment?

A: My understanding of freedom remains unchanged. Prison only reinforced the importance of my beliefs and principles, even in captivity. You enter a world where life becomes simpler, lived day by day. Yet the values of freedom, individuality, human rights, and life endure – and in that crucible, they grow even stronger.

Q: What things brought you joy or gave you a sense of normalcy after release?

A:  Of course, there are moments of deprivation – both significant ones, like spending time with loved ones, and simpler pleasures, like enjoying roast meat or soaking in a bathtub. While those things are wonderful, I haven’t felt the need for a transition or rest. Right now, after the high-profile exchange, the spotlight is on me, and I’m doing my best to make the most of it –  meeting new people, participating in conferences, and speaking about the realities in Russia. We need to use this moment to raise awareness about political prisoners. I may be free, but countless others remain behind bars, and sadly, as long as Putin is in power, that number will only grow.

Q: In the wake of Alexei Navalny's death and the appearance of signs of a split in the ranks of the Russian opposition, what, in your opinion, is the way forward? How can the movement maintain its unity and momentum in such difficult times?

A: I can't say it's solely a question of Alexei's murder – there is likely broader fatigue. The war has lasted for years, and despite efforts, there are no visible changes. This understandably leads to burnout, with energy channelled in less constructive directions.

However, I believe the Russian opposition can be effective. We should direct our forces within Russia to mobilize the existing anti-war sentiment. This is the path to stopping the war – nurturing a new civil, anti-war, anti-Putin society from within. It is the Russians themselves who can be stronger than any missiles.

Q: In an environment where activism comes at such a high personal cost, what motivates you to keep going?

A: As an anti-war activist in Germany, I find it strange to be afraid of expressing my views. I know that Putin's security services are organizing provocations and terrorist attacks in Europe, but that’s no comparison to the risk of persecution that anti-war activists face inside Russia.

My colleagues and I must be the voice for those silenced in Russia. We are exiled and out of the country, but we cannot abandon this work. My dream is to return to my homeland as soon as the regime in Russia changes.

Q: If you could send a message to the international community about the importance of protecting political prisoners, what would you want them to understand?

A: Putin jails those who oppose his regime and fight for a free and democratic Russia – the people who share the values of Europeans.

The more of these political prisoners who are freed, the more people there are to continue the fight for democracy and the sooner Russia will become a safe and friendly neighbour to the world. This will prevent Russia from acting like an unpredictable threat with its nuclear weapons.

Showing goodwill by supporting the release of political prisoners will reinforce that the West is an ally of the Russian people, not their enemy.

Prisoners of Conscience from East and Southeast Europe

We feature select few prisoners of conscience out of the many in East and Southeast Europe. One political prisoner is one too many. 

Find out who the other political prisoners are #PrisonersofConscience  #FreeThemAll and in the special Focus on our website.