High risk cases.
The editorial desk is tracking 60 individuals facing imminent threats to their safety, health, or legal status. These cases require immediate international attention and advocacy.
Critical cases
High priority
Torture reported
Avg days held
Samvel Babayan
Самвел Бабаян
Samvel Babayan, a 53-year-old Jehovah's Witness from Samara, was sentenced to seven years in prison. He has been held in pre-trial detention since September despite suffering from serious illnesses, including a tumor.
TD·RU-0095CriticalAleksandr Vladimirovich Babich
Бабич Александр Владимирович
Aleksandr Babich, the mayor of the Ukrainian city Hola Prystan, was abducted by Russian military forces in March 2022. He is currently being held in detention without any formal charges being brought against him.
Ekaterina Fatyanova
Екатерина Фатьянова
Activist Ekaterina Fatyanova had her sentence of forced labor changed to a settlement colony following reports of pressure and poor conditions. She was originally convicted for distributing a newspaper that criticized the military.
Ahmed Pogorov
Ахмед Погоров
Ahmed Pogorov, a key leader of the Ingush protest movement, was sentenced to 9 years in prison. He was convicted of organizing violence against authorities and participating in an extremist community related to the 2019 protests.
Solima Kamin
Солима Камин
Moscow resident Solima Kamin was sentenced to 8 years in a general regime colony for anti-war social media posts. He reported being tortured with an electric shocker and beaten by police during his arrest.
Aleksandr Titov
Александр Титов
65-year-old Aleksandr Titov was sentenced to 5.5 years in a general regime colony for justifying terrorism via comments in a Telegram channel. The prosecution was triggered by a colleague's report, and Titov's health deteriorated significantly while in custody, including hearing loss.
Artemy Ostanin
Артемий Останин
Comedian Artemy Ostanin faces nearly 6 years in prison for jokes deemed to incite hatred and insult religious feelings. He reports being beaten with batons and electric shocks during his arrest in Belarus.
TD·GE-2484CriticalTamar Mearakishvili
თამარ მერაკიშვილი
Civic activist Tamar Mearakishvili is in pre-trial detention in Tskhinvali on charges of spying for Tbilisi. She has launched a dry hunger strike to protest her detention and is in deteriorating health.
TD·UZ-0064CriticalDildora Khakimova
Dildora Khakimova
Dildora Khakimova is a teacher, blogger, and civil-society activist who publicly criticized corruption in the education system. She was arrested in February 2024 and convicted in July 2024 of extortion, charges which rights groups describe as baseless retaliation for her activism. She is currently serving a six-year sentence and has given birth to a child while in detention. She also suffers from breast cancer that requires urgent specialized treatment.
TD·BE-2548CriticalTatsiana Korsakava
Корсакава Таццяна
Tatsiana Korsakava, a preschool educator from Minsk, was detained along with her husband and daughter. The family was charged with treason and weapons smuggling. She was sentenced to 12 years in a general regime colony.
TD·BE-0613CriticalDzjanis Dzikun
Дзікун Дзяніс
Dzjanis Dzikun is a member of the 'railway partisans' who carried out sabotage against railway infrastructure to disrupt Russian military movements. He was charged with terrorism, treason, and creating an extremist formation. He has been sentenced to a total of 25 years in a high-security regime.
TD·BE-1577CriticalSjarhei Kabarczuk
Кабарчук Сяргей
Sjarhei Kabarczuk is a Ukrainian citizen who was arrested with his son, Pavel. He was accused by the KGB of being an SBU operative involved in planning terrorist acts in Belarus and Russia. He was sentenced to 20 years in a high-security colony and suffers from serious health issues.
Maria Boncler
Мария Бонцлер
Lawyer Maria Boncler faces up to 20 years in prison after her charges were upgraded to high treason. She reports being tortured during her arrest and denied essential medication while in SIZO.
Igor Pokusin
Unknown
Igor Pokusin, head of a public movement, was sentenced to imprisonment for preparation for high treason for allegedly planning to join the Ukrainian Armed Forces. He died in prison.
TD·BE-6110CriticalPavel Kabarczuk
Кабарчук Павел
Pavel Kabarczuk is a Ukrainian citizen who was detained alongside his father. Belarusian authorities accused them of being SBU saboteurs attempting to carry out terrorist acts. He was sentenced to 20 years in a high-security penal colony and is designated as a terrorist and extremist.
TD·RU-7105CriticalMaxim Asriyan
Unknown
Maxim Asriyan, a healthcare worker, was sentenced to 8 years for attempted arson of a military recruitment office and treason for intending to join the "Freedom of Russia" legion. The Memorial Human Rights Defence Centre considers his prosecution politically motivated and aimed at suppressing dissent.
TD·BE-1933CriticalAleh Malczanau
Малчанаў Алег
Aleh Malczanau, a former serviceman, was sentenced to 21 years in a high-security penal colony. He was convicted for his involvement in the 'railway partisan' movement, specifically for the arson of a signaling relay box to disrupt Russian military logistics. He is listed as a terrorist and an extremist.
Siarhei Botvich Ivanavich
Ботвіч Сяргей
Siarhei Botvich is a citizen of Lithuania and France who conducted business in Belarus. He was accused of espionage and agency activity, allegedly working for foreign intelligence. He has faced severe health issues and solitary confinement during his detention.
TD·BE-8151CriticalDzmitryi Ravich
Равіч Дзмітрый
Dzmitryi Ravich is a resident of Svetlahorsk who was arrested for his involvement in the 'railway partisans' actions. He was accused of sabotaging railway signaling equipment near Zherd' station on the fourth day of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. He received a 22-year sentence in a high-security penal colony and is listed as a terrorist and extremist.
TD·BE-0132CriticalDzianis Ivashyn
Івашын Дзяніс
Dzianis Ivashyn is an investigative journalist and editor for InformNapalm. He was arrested by the KGB in 2021 and subsequently convicted of treason and illegal collection of private data. He has been sentenced to over 13 years in a strict regime prison and has faced frequent use of solitary confinement and restricted communication.
TD·TU-0168CriticalBoris Shikhmuradov
Boris Shikhmuradov
Boris Shikhmuradov is a Turkmen politician who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan from 1995 to 2000 and as Turkmenistan’s Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China starting in March 2001. He was arrested on December 25, 2002, following an alleged assassination attempt against President Saparmurad Niazov. He was sentenced to life imprisonment after the People’s Council amended the criminal code to allow for life sentences for traitors. Reports indicate he was subjected to torture and drugging to extract confessions. His current status is unknown; he may still be imprisoned, may have died in prison, or may have been secretly executed between 2003 and 2005.
Piotr Asipenka
Асіпенка Пётр
Piotr Asipenka is being held in the KGB pre-trial detention center. He is accused of participating in mass disturbances and high treason against the state.
TD·BE-0014CriticalViaczaslau Barodzii
Бародзій Вячаслаў
Viaczaslau Barodzii is a Ukrainian citizen and a former hunter who was detained in the Elsk district. He was accused of collaborating with the Security Service of Ukraine and preparing terrorist acts. The Gomel Regional Court sentenced him to 10 years in a high-security penal colony.
TD·UZ-4104CriticalNozimjon Abdullayev
Nozimjon Abdullayev
Nozimjon Abdullayev, a former government official and former head of State Inspection under the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change, was sentenced to 15 years in prison. He was convicted of treason and violation of privacy in a closed-door trial. Abdullayev denies all charges, asserting that the prosecution's claims are linked to an article published by the independent media outlet "ElTuz" regarding corruption. During pre-trial detention, Abdullayev reported being subjected to torture by security officers and threats from other inmates to coerce false testimony. His health is in critical condition due to type 2 diabetes, which has been exacerbated by the withholding of medication and physical abuse, including burns and beatings.
Vadzim Pacenka
Пацэнка Вадзім
Vadzim Pacenka is a former athlete from Grodno who was arrested on charges of preparing a terrorist act. Authorities alleged he planned to blow up a fuel depot using a drone. He was sentenced to 21 years in a high-security penal colony.
Maksim Lapacin
Лапацін Максім
Maksim Lapacin was detained in connection with the 'Machulishchy diversion' case. He was severely beaten during his arrest, which resulted in serious physical injuries. He was convicted of treason and several other charges, receiving an 8-year sentence in a high-security colony.
Henrykh Aheeu
Агееў Генрых
Henrykh Aheeu is a former security force member who was detained in Crimea and later transferred to Belarusian authorities. He is accused of high treason and involvement with the BYPOL organization, which is labeled as terrorist in Belarus. He reportedly suffered beatings and torture while held in a Crimean detention center.
Dzmitryi Paznjakou
Пазнякоў Дзмітрый
Dzmitryi Paznjakou is a former military officer and lecturer at the Brest State University military faculty. He was sentenced to 19 years in a high-security colony for treason in November 2023. Reports indicate he has been subjected to torture, including the use of electric shock devices, while in custody.
Barys Pukhalski
Пухальскі Барыс
Barys Pukhalski was detained for allegedly preparing terrorist acts involving the sabotage of railway infrastructure. Authorities claimed he sought to cooperate with Ukrainian services. He was sentenced to a very heavy term of 25 years in a high-security colony.
TD·RU-1001CriticalBaburin Ilya Nikolaevich
Бабурин Илья Николаевич
Ilya Baburin was sentenced to 25 years in prison for treason, a terrorist act, and related charges, allegedly for assisting the Azov regiment. The prosecution claimed he planned to set fire to infrastructure objects in Russia at the direction of Azov members.
Ivan Semenikhin
Иван Семенихин
Ivan Semenikhin, a police officer who investigated crimes against children with foreign colleagues, is being tried for high treason and illegal access to computer information. His trial is being held behind closed doors.
Irakli Shaishmelashvili
Irakli Shaishmelashvili
Former Ministry official Irakli Shaishmelashvili has been charged in absentia for allegedly calling for the violent overthrow of the state government. He is currently residing abroad.
Mohsen Namjoo
Муҳсини Номҷӯ
Iranian singer Mohsen Namjoo has returned to Iran and is facing allegations of sexual harassment and insulting sacred values. There are also suspicions regarding his potential cooperation with Iranian security agencies.
Usman Baratov
Усман Баратов
Usman Baratov, head of the Uzbek community, was sentenced to nearly 2 years in a strict regime colony after being accused of disorganizing colony activities following a social media post.
Alexey Bykov
Алексей Быков
Alexey Bykov was sentenced to 5.5 years in a penal colony for messages in a Telegram chat supporting the RDK. He reported being severely beaten by FSB officers during his arrest.
Mamuka Khazaradze
Mamuka Khazaradze
Tbilisi City Court set a high bail of GEL 1 million for Lelo party leader Mamuka Khazaradze in a 'sabotage' case. He is one of several opposition leaders facing charges of crimes against the state.
Afgan Sadigov
Afgan Sadigov
Journalist Afgan Sadigov has been arrested in Azerbaijan following his deportation from Georgia. His lawyer claims the arrest is part of a coordinated operation between Baku and Tbilisi regarding a case that was previously thought to be closed.
Valery Patyuk
Валерий Патюк
Valery Patyuk, an Orthodox blogger, had his sentence increased to a settlement colony after a violent encounter with bailiffs. He claims he was pressured into signing a military contract while in custody.
Giorgi Gakharia
Giorgi Gakharia
Former Georgian PM Giorgi Gakharia, currently in exile, faces up to 13 years in prison following criminal charges brought by prosecutors. The charges relate to his actions as Interior Minister during the 2019 'Gavrilov's Night' protests and the installation of a police checkpoint.
Andrei Lazarenko
Андрей Лазаренко
Andrei Lazarenko, a Mariupol resident forced into Russian citizenship, is on trial for allegedly planning to burn down a military enlistment office. He claims he was coerced into signing a confession through threats of sexual violence and that his Ukrainian passport was stolen by the FSB.
Grigory Sinchenko
Григорий Синченко
Grigory Sinchenko, a Ukrainian citizen, is facing a massive trial in Russia involving 47 episodes of alleged crimes, including sabotage and terrorism. He claims his confessions were obtained through severe torture, including electric shocks and beatings.
Stepan Korobochka
Степан Коробочка
Stepan Korobochka was sentenced for treason related to an alleged arson of a military enlistment office in Blagoveshchensk. He also faced charges for attempted drug trafficking in Astrakhan. His mother reports he was beaten in custody.
Makhabat Tazhibek kyzy
Махабат Тажибек кызы
The court in Bishkek has begun hearing the case of Makhabat Tazhibek kyzy.
Kseniya Luchenko
Kseniya Luchenko
Orthodox journalist Kseniya Luchenko is facing a criminal investigation and a potential trial in absentia for a Telegram post condemning a Russian missile strike on a Kyiv hospital. She is currently outside Russia and has been labeled a 'foreign agent' and an 'extremist'.
Svetlana Golovatenko
Светлана Головатенко
Svetlana Golovatenko, a Russian woman who lived in Ukraine for over a decade, was charged with treason after returning to Russia to update her documents. She was subjected to 'carousel arrests' (multiple short administrative detentions) before being sent to a SIZO.
Aleko Elisashvili
ალეკო ელისაშვილი
Opposition politician Aleko Elisashvili is in pretrial detention facing terrorism charges for allegedly setting fire to the Tbilisi City Court archive in May 2025. He was already in custody for a similar alleged incident in November 2025.
Zhumasapar Dadebayev
Zhumasapar Dadebayev
Zhumasapar Dadebayev is an ethnic Turkmen civic activist and blogger originally from the Saraykol area (now Takhtakopir region) of Karakalpakstan. He had been living in Istanbul, Turkey since 2018, where he advocated for greater autonomy or sovereignty for Karakalpakstan and identified himself as founder of a political initiative (Dostluk Party) representing Turkmens of Karakalpakstan. On 10 January 2022, while in the suburbs of Istanbul, he was detained and forcibly transferred to Uzbekistan in an operation believed to involve Uzbek special services. He was then detained upon arrival at Tashkent International Airport on 12 January 2022. On 10 August 2022, the Mirzo-Ulugbek District Court in Tashkent convicted him and sentenced him to 12 years in a penal colony. His appeal was rejected by the Tashkent City Court on 27 October 2022, upholding the original sentence. The charges against Dadebayev especially those relating to terrorism, incitement of ethnic or religious hatred, participation in extremist organisations, and conspiracy to seize power are connected to his online activism and public support for Karakalpakstan’s sovereignty rather than evidence of violent actions. Dadebayev’s charges politically motivated. His trial was closed to the public, which limited transparency and independent scrutiny of the evidence and proceedings.
Zurab Japaridze
Zurab Japaridze
Opposition leader Zurab Japaridze was ordered to pay GEL 30,000 in bail in a pending sabotage case. He faces up to 15 years in prison and has previously served time for defying a parliamentary commission.
Sergey Udaltsov
Сергей Удальцов
Sergey Udaltsov, former coordinator of the Left Front, was sentenced to 6 years in a penal colony for justifying terrorism. He has denied the charges and announced an indefinite hunger strike in protest.
Unknown male 425
Unknown
An unknown male resident of the Chelyabinsk region was detained in February 2025 for allegedly calling for terrorist activities. He was reportedly sentenced to five and a half years in a general regime penal colony.
Ilya Vasilyev
Илья Васильев
Moscow Buddhist leader Ilya Vasilyev is awaiting retrial after his 8-year prison sentence for a Facebook post about a missile attack in Ukraine was overturned due to a violation of his right to a defense. He remains in detention.
Jana Pinczuk
Пінчук Яна
Jana Pinczuk was an administrator of three protest Telegram channels. She was arrested in Russia and subsequently extradited to Belarus despite UN warnings. She was sentenced to 12 years in a general regime colony on charges including terrorism and extremism.
Giorgi Udzilauri
გიორგი უძილაური
Giorgi Udzilauri, a former official for the Cartu Group and current press service head at the Finance Ministry, was arrested on espionage allegations. He is accused of systematically passing classified data to a foreign intelligence service.
Lazare Grigoriadis
ლაზარე გრიგორიაძე
Lazare Grigoriadis, previously convicted in a Molotov cocktail case during the 2023 anti-foreign agents protests, has been arrested again on new allegations of making threats.
Vladimir Jaworinski
Владимир Яворинский
Russian political prisoner Vladimir Jaworinski is facing new charges. The article discusses his ongoing legal situation in Russia.
Nikita Bogomolov
Никита Богомолов
Nikita Bogomolov is accused of high treason and terrorism after allegedly communicating with a member of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and joining the RDK.
Evgeniya Konforkina
Евгения Конфоркина
A video surveillance specialist from Lyubertsy is facing 18 years in prison for allegedly filming a helicopter plant on behalf of the 'Freedom of Russia' Legion.
Polina Evtushenko
Полина Евтушенко
Polina Evtushenko is facing a requested sentence of 18 years in prison on multiple charges including high treason and terrorism. The prosecution claims she attempted to recruit someone for the Freedom of Russia Legion, though she claims the evidence is manipulated.
Nikolay Bondarenko
Николай Бондаренко
Nikolay Bondarenko, a CPRF candidate and politician, was detained by police in Saratov. He is charged with the demonstration of extremist symbols related to a social media post.
Zoirjon Gapparov
Zoirjon Gapparov
Zoirjon Gapparov, head of the 'Savay Ariq Suvlari' farming enterprise in the Qo'rg'ontepa district, has been subjected to pressure by local authorities to surrender his land to Chinese investors. He and his wife were forcibly taken to the district administration (hokimiyat). After refusing to sign a statement claiming he was surrendering the land voluntarily, he has faced repeated inspections and pressure from police and prosecutors.