Alexey Malyarevsky is a 30-year-old programmer. Born in Russia, he moved to the Czech Republic, where he lived and worked for several years. In 2023, he returned to Russia to visit his family and express his political views in a peaceful and lawful way. He held a simple protest sign that read: “Freedom to Navalny. Freedom to political prisoners.” He also made a small donation — the equivalent of $150 — to the Anti-Corruption Foundation. For this, Alexey was arrested, prosecuted, and sentenced to seven years in prison, the maximum possible sentence. It was his first arrest, and he had cooperated fully with the authorities. His family and friends are devastated, and his life has been turned upside down for exercising freedom of speech.

If we remain silent, Alexey will spend the prime years of his life behind bars for nothing more than a peaceful act of expression. His case is not just about one man — it’s about a growing number of people in Russia and around the world who face severe punishment for dissent. This sentence sets a dangerous precedent, criminalizing ordinary citizens who speak out for justice. But if the international community unites and demands his release, we can apply pressure on Russian authorities and work toward broader agreements on political prisoner exchanges between Russia and democratic nations such as those in Europe and the U.S.

Political repression is escalating in Russia, and Alexey’s case is one of the clearest examples of injustice in recent months. Every day he remains imprisoned is a day his voice is silenced — and a message to others that peaceful protest is a crime. But global pressure works. Journalists, artists, and political prisoners have been freed before because the world refused to look away. We must act now — before it’s too late — and call on international leaders, human rights organizations, and all people of conscience to demand freedom for Alexey Malyarevsky and push for fair treatment of political prisoners everywhere.