Documented cases

11 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

Evgeny Tronev

Evgeny Tronev was sentenced to probation and compulsory psychiatric observation for reposting "discrediting" content online. The initial suspended sentence was later replaced with a fine.

LAST UPDATED · AUG 16, 2026

Voronezh, Voronezh Oblast

Social media

Evgeny Karpov

Evgeny Karpov, a former coordinator of Alexei Navalny's headquarters in Voronezh, is accused of repeatedly discrediting the RF Armed Forces. He left Russia and has been placed on a wanted list and designated as a "foreign agent."

LAST UPDATED · AUG 16, 2026

on trial

RU-CMI8

33 YRS

Rossosh, Voronezh Oblast

Social media

Alexei Katseval

Alexei Katseval is facing charges for allegedly publishing an extremist text on a Telegram channel that criticized Russian servicemen. His current location is unknown.

LAST UPDATED · AUG 16, 2026

on trial

RU-CMO0

66 YRS

Voronezh, Voronezh Oblast

Activism

Yuri Aleksandrovich Avsenev

Yuri Avsenev, a political activist from Voronezh, was charged with public calls for extremist activity online. He was released from criminal responsibility and ordered to undergo compulsory psychiatric treatment by the court.

HEALTH CONCERNS

LAST UPDATED · AUG 16, 2026

Sergei Krivosheev

Sergei Krivosheev was sentenced to ten months of forced labor for discrediting the Russian Armed Forces. He is also prohibited from administering websites and social media groups for the duration of his sentence.

LAST UPDATED · AUG 16, 2026

Voronezh, Voronezh Oblast

Social media

Vasilii Surin

Vasilii Surin was sentenced to three and a half years in prison for justifying terrorism and calling for extremism. The charges stem from his online approval of the Crimean bridge bombing and alleged calls for violence on ethnic grounds.

LAST UPDATED · AUG 16, 2026

Voronezh, Voronezh Oblast

Social media

Khristoliub Bozhii Vegan

A YouTube blogger from Voronezh was sentenced to three years in prison for videos criticizing the Soviet military and the Quran. After being detained again for an anti-war poster, he died in custody in April 2026, reportedly by hanging in a disciplinary cell.

HEALTH CONCERNS

LAST UPDATED · AUG 16, 2026

deceased

RU-CMV0

23 YRS

Voronezh, Voronezh Oblast

Nikita Plyusnin

Nikita Plyusnin was sentenced to 20 years in prison for allegedly committing arson on infrastructure objects at the behest of Ukrainian intelligence. The court found him guilty of high treason and multiple acts of sabotage.

LAST UPDATED · NOV 6, 2026

Convicted

RU-CMRN

20 YRS

Voronezh Oblast, Russia

Denis Kovalenko

Denis Kovalenko, a 20-year-old student, was sentenced to 17 years in a strict regime colony for high treason and cooperation with the SBU. He was accused of passing information about military airfield defense systems and patrol posts.

LAST UPDATED · NOV 6, 2026

Convicted

RU-CMI8

37 YRS

Voronezh, Voronezh Oblast

Social media

Andrei Biryukov

Andrei Biryukov was imprisoned for social media posts, initially sentenced to 3.5 years for extremism and justification of terrorism related to VKontakte publications, including statements about the war in Ukraine. After a new case was opened following his appeal, his total sentence was increased to six years.

HEALTH CONCERNS

LAST UPDATED · AUG 16, 2026

Convicted

RU-CMI8

35 YRS

Voronezh, Voronezh Oblast

Social media

Nina Belyaeva

Nina Belyaeva, a former deputy, is being prosecuted for spreading false information about the Russian Armed Forces and publicly justifying terrorism. The charges stem from statements made at a district council meeting and an interview with a Ukrainian blogger.

LAST UPDATED · AUG 16, 2026

on trial

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