Documented cases

12 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

Ivan Churinov

Ivan Churinov, a neurologist, was fined 800,000 rubles for pouring red paint on banners with portraits of participants in the war with Ukraine. He reportedly repented and apologized for his actions.

LAST UPDATED · AUG 16, 2026

Convicted

RU-CMI8

38 YRS

Rostov-on-Don, Rostov Oblast

Social media

Sergei Kaplienko

Sergei Kaplienko, a blogger from Rostov-on-Don, is under house arrest. He is charged with spreading false information about the Russian Armed Forces through a video and other messages online.

LAST UPDATED · AUG 16, 2026

on trial

RU-CMGO

28 YRS

Rostov, Rostov Oblast

Social media

Aleksandr Anderson

Aleksandr Anderson, an IT specialist from the Rostov region who left for the U.S., is being investigated for spreading hate-motivated "fakes" about the Russian army on Instagram. The posts concerned the events in Bucha and Izyum during the war in Ukraine.

LAST UPDATED · AUG 16, 2026

Rostov-on-Don, Rostov Oblast

Anti-war

Valery Kotovich

Valery Kotovich, a former law enforcement official, was sentenced to 6 years in prison for spreading false information about the Russian Armed Forces. He allegedly criticized the actions of the Russian military in Ukraine.

LAST UPDATED · AUG 16, 2026

Rostov-on-Don, Rostov Oblast

Viktor Kirman

Viktor Kirman, a 63-year-old artist, was arrested in Rostov-on-Don on charges of high treason. Before his formal arrest, he underwent a series of 'carousel arrests' and reported being beaten and tortured with electricity and water.

TORTURE REPORTED

LAST UPDATED · OCT 15, 2026

Rostov-on-Don, Rostov Oblast

Viktor Kirman

Artist Viktor Kirman was sent to SIZO on high treason charges following a period of repeated administrative arrests. He denies the charges and has reported being tortured during interrogations.

TORTURE REPORTED

LAST UPDATED · OCT 15, 2026

Rostov-on-Don, Rostov Oblast

Viktor Kirman

Artist Viktor Kirman and his friend Igor Kolomiets were arrested on charges of high treason, allegedly involving the transfer of funds to the Ukrainian Armed Forces via Kirman's daughter. The men were subjected to 'carousel arrests' (repeated short administrative detentions) and reported being tortured with electric shocks and beatings.

TORTURE REPORTED

LAST UPDATED · NOV 5, 2026

awaiting

RU-CMS1

25 YRS

Rostov-on-Don, Rostov Oblast

Anastasia Donova

Anastasia Donova, 25, was sentenced to 18 years in prison for high treason and preparing a terrorist attack in Rostov-on-Don. She was accused of spying on high-ranking military officials and possessing explosive components on behalf of Ukrainian intelligence.

LAST UPDATED · NOV 4, 2026

Rostov-on-Don, Rostov Oblast

Viktor Kirman

Viktor Kirman, a 63-year-old artist from Rostov-on-Don, has been subjected to 'arrest carousel' tactics since February, facing nine consecutive administrative arrests. He reports being beaten, subjected to electric shocks, and simulated drowning during interrogations.

TORTURE REPORTED

LAST UPDATED · AUG 16, 2026

Denis Vladimirovich Muryga

Denis Muryga, a citizen of Russia and Ukraine, was sentenced to 16 years in a strict regime colony. He was convicted for participating in an armed formation in a foreign state and undergoing training for terrorist activities.

LAST UPDATED · AUG 16, 2026

Convicted

RU-CMI8

AGE UNKNOWN

Taganrog, Rostov Oblast

Social media

Vitaly Mishin

Vitaly Mishin, a veteran of the war in Chechnya, received a 5-year suspended sentence for a comment on VKontakte stating that the Russian army was killing civilians in Ukraine. His disability and dependent minor were considered mitigating circumstances.

HEALTH CONCERNS

LAST UPDATED · AUG 16, 2026

Rostov-on-Don, Rostov Oblast

Journalism

Sergey Reznik

Sergey Reznik, an opposition journalist from Rostov-on-Don, is currently not in Russia and faces multiple criminal charges including spreading "fake news" about the Armed Forces, extortion, and calls for extremism. The charges relate to his Telegram channel posts and his support of a former Rostov region prosecutor.

INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION

LAST UPDATED · AUG 16, 2026

on trial

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