Documented cases

10 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

Nikolai Peknich

Nikolai Peknich, a resident of Polyarny in the Murmansk region, is on trial for disseminating false information about the Armed Forces. The case went to court in October 2025.

LAST UPDATED · AUG 16, 2026

on trial

RU-CMI8

29 YRS

Pechenga settlement, Murmansk Oblast

Anti-war

Dmitry Vasilets

Dmitry Vasilets, a military serviceman, was sentenced to imprisonment for refusing to participate in combat operations in Ukraine. He wrote a report stating his refusal and was initially sentenced to two years and five months in a penal colony, later reduced and released on parole.

LAST UPDATED · SEP 10, 2026

Released

RU-CMI8

AGE UNKNOWN

Severomorsk, Murmansk Oblast

Anti-war

Unknown male 487

An unnamed serviceman from the Murmansk region had his case dismissed with a court fine. He was accused of spreading false information about the Russian Armed Forces.

LAST UPDATED · AUG 16, 2026

Gennadiy Stepakhno

Former Murmansk Regional Duma deputy Gennadiy Stepakhno has been arrested for two months on high treason charges. The FSB alleges he passed intelligence to Ukrainian military intelligence.

LAST UPDATED · NOV 1, 2026

Murmansk, Murmansk Oblast

Gennady Stepakhno

Gennady Stepakhno, a 76-year-old former Murmansk regional deputy, has been charged with high treason. Authorities allege he collected information on regional government and engineering facilities for Ukrainian intelligence due to his anti-war stance.

LAST UPDATED · OCT 31, 2026

Denis Zagorye

Journalist Denis Zagorye has been placed on a federal wanted list. He faces criminal charges for failing to comply with foreign agent regulations and participating in an 'undesirable' organization (Barents Observer).

LAST UPDATED · OCT 7, 2026

Rafael Mamedov

Rafael Mamedov, a 23-year-old student, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for high treason and terrorism related to his administration of the 'Free Laplandia' Telegram channel. The charges stem from posts criticizing Russian authorities and discussing regional cultural identity.

TORTURE REPORTED

LAST UPDATED · OCT 21, 2026

Nikol, Murmansk region

Semen Kravchenko

Semen Kravchenko was sentenced to 14 years in prison for high treason and financing terrorism after being detained at the Russian border. He claims he was beaten and forced to sign a confession after security forces found transfers to Ukraine on his phone.

TORTURE REPORTED

LAST UPDATED · NOV 2, 2026

Giletin Alexey Ivanovich

Alexey Giletin, a volunteer, athlete, and coach from Murmansk, was sentenced to 11 years in prison for participating in the activities of the Legion "Freedom of Russia," a terrorist organization. He was arrested on June 17, 2024, and reportedly confessed and repented his actions.

HEALTH CONCERNS

LAST UPDATED · AUG 16, 2026

Convicted

RU-CMI8

35 YRS

Murmansk, Murmansk Oblast

Anatoliy Voytenok

Anatoliy Voytenok was fined 150,000 rubles for calls against state security. The case was related to Article 280.4 of the Criminal Code.

LAST UPDATED · AUG 16, 2026

Convicted

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