ALEXANDER
SKOBOV
Alexander Valeryevich Skobov is a publicist, historian, and Soviet-era dissident, born in Leningrad on 4 November 1957. In custody since 2 April 2024. On 21 March 2025 he was sentenced to 16 years in prison for his anti-war writings and his support of Ukraine’s defence; the verdict became final on cassation in April 2026. He is held at T-2 closed prison in Yelets. Memorial recognises him as a political prisoner.
Full biographyI am the accuser here
I am the accuser here. I accuse Putin’s corpse-stinking ruling clique of preparing, unleashing, and waging a war of aggression.
The crisis of Western civilisation
But do not ask whether our world has betrayed us. Ask whether we have not betrayed it.
16 years in prison
for ‘justifying terrorism’.
- Arrested
- 2 April 2024
- Verdict
- 16 years (final on 1 April 2026)
- Charges
- Art. 205.2 § 2 of the Russian Criminal Code (‘justifying terrorism’) and Art. 205.4 § 2 (‘participation in a terrorist organisation’)
- Sentence
- 3 years in closed prison, the remainder in a strict-regime penal colony
- Detained at
- T-2 closed prison, Yelets, Lipetsk Region
- Age
- 68 years old, nearly blind from glaucoma
Three ways to support.
Any of the three is real support. Choose what feels closest to you; every action carries weight.
Read and share
So that Skobov’s voice doesn’t go silent while he is in prison — his texts must keep moving. Forward one text to someone for whom it would matter.
Archive of textsLetters to prison
There is no radio, no newspapers in the cell. Letters are his only contact with the world. He reads carefully, almost always replies.
How and what to writeMoney — for the family and for him
Parcels to prison, medication, clothing, food, and support for relatives left outside. Funds are received and distributed by the support campaign.
Ways to transferFor any questions — about texts, letters, or transfers — the support campaign by e-mail