Today, October 30, the world marks the Day of Remembrance for Victims of Political Repressions. This day was established in 1991, following the collapse of the Soviet Union, as a result of decades of civic efforts led by former political prisoners and human rights defenders. It commemorates the millions of people executed, imprisoned, or exiled during the Soviet regime — and those who continue to face persecution today for defending historical truth and human dignity.
Yuri Dmitriev is a historian from Karelia, head of the regional branch of the human rights organization Memorial, and a researcher who has devoted his life to preserving the memory of Stalin’s terror. In 2021, Yuri received NHC’s Andrei Sakharov Freedom Award for his lifelong commitment to bringing justice and returning the good names of the victims of political repressions.
In 1997, he discovered Sandarmokh, one of the largest execution sites of the Great Terror. More than 6200 people of around 58 nationalities were executed there — Russians, Ukrainians, Karelians, Poles, Finns, Jews, and many others, including writers, scientists, priests, and ordinary citizens.
For more than 20 years, Yuri Dmitriev organized annual Days of Remembrance on August 5 at Sandarmokh, where families of the victims gather to honor their relatives.
Even today, despite state pressure, people continue to come to Sandarmokh to hold memorial events. However, these commemorations are now accompanied by provocateurs from the pro-government “Young Guard” movement and members of the nationalist “Russian Community”, who attempt to disrupt the ceremonies and discredit participants of Remembrance Day.
Today Yury Dmitriev is a political prisoner: the human rights organizations Memorial and OVD-Info recognize Dmitriev’s persecution as politically motivated.
In 2016, Dmitriev was arrested on fabricated charges. Although a court initially acquitted him, he was later re-arrested after he refused to abandon his work documenting the crimes of Stalinism. He has now been imprisoned for over seven years.
Yuri Dmitriev is 69 years old and as of now, he suffers from multiple serious health problems. During his imprisonment, he has been sent to solitary confinement at least seven times — on absurd and fabricated pretexts, such as “improper morning exercise,” “sitting on his bed due to dizziness,” or “failing to congratulate a prison officer.” In total, he has spent 37 days in solitary confinement.
We call for Yuri Dmitriev to be included in prisoner exchange lists and for the release of all political prisoners.