Russia

Russia Intensifies Legal Action Against American Citizen Accused of Assaulting Law Enforcement

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MOSCOW — Russian authorities have announced additional charges against an American citizen who is already detained on accusations of assaulting law enforcement officers. This development comes amid growing tensions between Russia and the United States. The individual, identified as 28-year-old Robert J. O’Brien, is facing new allegations, which include multiple counts of violence against police personnel during an incident that occurred in July. O’Brien was reportedly involved in a larger protest in Moscow, where clashes between demonstrators and police escalated, leading to his arrest. Russian prosecutors allege that O’Brien not only participated in the unrest … Read more

UN Rapporteur Slams Arrest of Human Rights Lawyer in Russia Amid Rising Political Repression

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Kaliningrad, Russia — A United Nations human rights expert has sharply criticized the detention of a Kaliningrad human rights lawyer, asserting that her arrest seems to be a direct response to her advocacy for political prisoners. The lawyer, Maria Bontsler, 64, has long been a prominent defender of human rights within the country, despite facing health challenges. Mariana Katzarova, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Russia, issued a statement condemning what she termed a case of judicial harassment. Katzarova characterized Bontsler’s arrest as politically motivated, emphasizing it as another instance of diminishing legal … Read more

Russia Hits Apple with Fines Over Alleged Breach of Anti-LGBTQ+ Propaganda Regulations

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MOSCOW, Russia — A Moscow court has imposed a substantial fine on tech giant Apple for failing to comply with a controversial law aimed at restricting LGBTQ+ propaganda in the country. This ruling is part of Russia’s broader crackdown on what officials describe as “non-traditional” values, reflecting the government’s increasing efforts to regulate online content. The court ordered Apple to pay 1 million rubles, equivalent to approximately $13,000, as a penalty for breaching these laws. Russian authorities have intensified scrutiny over foreign companies, particularly those in the digital space, which they view as potential conduits … Read more

Global Crackdown on Lawyers Undermines Justice: From Russia to the US, Legal Defenders Face Unprecedented Threats

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Lawyers who have chosen to defend controversial and politically sensitive cases often face severe repercussions, including harassment, disbarment, and imprisonment. Repressive regimes worldwide are known to target legal professionals to suppress dissent, a practice observed from Russia to Iran and China. In Russia, the crackdown on opposition voices extends beyond the incarceration of political figures to their legal defenders. Following the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in an Arctic prison colony, his lawyers Vadim Kobzev, Alexei Liptser, and Igor Sergunin were sentenced to several years in jail for allegedly participating in an “extremist organization” … Read more