Documented cases

9 people held for political reasons in Russia, Belarus, Georgia and Central Asia. Search by name, or filter by country, charge, arrest date and sentence.

Country

Urgency

Unknown male 20

A young man is accused of damaging a memorial plaque dedicated to Arsen Pavlov (Motorola) in Ukhta. He is wanted by the Investigative Committee for the Komi Republic in connection with the defacement.

LAST UPDATED · AUG 16, 2026

on trial

RU-CMGO

53 YRS

Syktyvkar, Komi Republic

Social media

Yuri Orlov

Yuri Orlov, an employee of the Pension Fund, was convicted of calls to terrorism for aggressive statements about authorities made in a Telegram chat room. He was sentenced to three years in a general regime colony and placed in a punishment cell for a joke about Putin.

LAST UPDATED · AUG 16, 2026

Elena Chebotareva

Elena Chebotareva, a cleaner at Gazprom, is on trial in St. Petersburg for comments made on social media supporting the Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK) and the Freedom of Russia Legion. She has admitted her guilt.

LAST UPDATED · NOV 10, 2026

Oksana Rafikovna Bagirova

Oksana Bagirova, a hairdresser and former candidate for the Komi State Council, was sentenced to 6 years in prison for public calls for terrorist activities online. The charges stem from a repost and a comment on social media expressing support for Ukraine.

LAST UPDATED · AUG 16, 2026

Nikolai Zyuzev

Sociologist Nikolai Zyuzev was sentenced to seven years in a strict regime colony for high treason. The FSB alleges he worked on a project aimed at undermining Russia's sovereignty and received funding from foreign organizations.

LAST UPDATED · NOV 6, 2026

Vorkuta, Republic of Komi

Social media

Gennady Sergeevich Kalashnikov

Gennady Kalashnikov was sentenced to 15 years in prison for comments he made on Telegram, including "Death to Putin's Orcs!" and "Glory to RDK!!!" He claims he was tortured by FSB officers to confess.

TORTURE REPORTED

LAST UPDATED · AUG 16, 2026

Convicted

RU-CMI8

57 YRS

village of Izhma, Komi Republic

Social media

Alexey Semyonov

Alexey Semyonov was initially fined for a VKontakte post criticizing the war in Ukraine. He later faced criminal charges for discrediting the Russian Armed Forces and insulting a government official, stemming from environmental activism and protests. He was initially sentenced to compulsory labor and a fine, but the fine was later waived due to the statute of limitations.

LAST UPDATED · AUG 16, 2026

Ukhta, Republic of Komi

Activism

Vladislav Vladislavovich Kraval

Vladislav Kraval, an activist from Ukhta, was sentenced to 6 years and 3 months in a general regime colony for vandalism and falsely reporting a terrorist act. He vandalized a pro-war banner and called in a false report of a bomb threat at the military registration and enlistment office.

LAST UPDATED · AUG 16, 2026

Syktyvkar, Komi Republic

Activism

Andrey Yuryevich Ivashev

Andrey Ivashev, a pensioner and civil activist, was sentenced to 6 years for public calls to terrorism and extremism, incitement of hatred, and disrespect for court. The charges relate to comments made online.

LAST UPDATED · AUG 16, 2026

Convicted

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