Helping family and prisoners from abroad

Draft. Compiled from human rights groups' guides but not yet reviewed by a lawyer. This is not legal advice — check the linked sources and consult a lawyer.

• In 2024 the Constitutional Court confirmed that sending money to someone charged under a 'terrorism' article can count as financing terrorism if the sender knew what the money was for.
• Rights groups advise helping through organisations — Solidarity Zone, Memorial Political Prisoners Support, Freedom Zone — and checking their designation before donating.
• Transfers to relatives are visible to banks. Don't send money to 'banned' organisations or people linked to them: the risk also falls on the recipient in Russia.
• In letters to pre-trial detention or a colony, don't write about politics, the case or third parties: censors read everything. Letters to political prisoners can be sent via RosUznik.
• If you are put on the 284-FZ register, dependent relatives can receive a payment from your frozen funds.

current as of September 25. More: Advokatskaya Gazeta: Constitutional Court on transfers; Mediazona: cases over donations to FBK (foreign agent); RosUznik

Draft. Compiled from human rights groups' guides but not yet reviewed by a lawyer. This is not legal advice — check the linked sources and consult a lawyer.

• In SIZO, parcels are handed in at the window (with a passport) or via online services, up to 30 kg a month. Visits in SIZO need permission from the investigator or the court handling the case.
• In a colony the number of parcels depends on the regime: general — 6 parcels and 6 small packets a year, strict — 4, special — 3; no limit in a settlement colony. Medicines don't count.
• Human rights groups advise not bringing your everyday phone to a visit and not wearing clothes with political symbols: devices can be seized and searched.
• If an item is refused, you can challenge it with the facility head and the prosecutor. Medicines go through a separate procedure via the medical unit.
• Where to turn: Prison Lawyer, Solidarity Zone; for women in prison and their families — Women's Term.

current as of September 25. More: First Department: the parcel window and deliveries (foreign agent); First Department: visiting SIZO or a colony safely (foreign agent); OVD-Info: parcels to SIZO and colonies (extremist)