Why was a human rights defender arrested in Russia?
Reacting to the arbitrary arrest of a prominent Russian human rights defender, Aleksei Sokolov, in Yekaterinburg, the Urals, for displaying the Facebook logo online which is regarded as an “extremist symbol” in Russia, Natalia Zviagina, Amnesty International’s Russia Director, stated that…
- He was charged for displaying the Facebook logo
- He has been advocating for prisoners’ rights and exposing torture
- Natalia Zviagina demands his immediate release
What does Aleksei Sokolov’s case signify?
According to Natalia Zviagina, the arrest of Aleksei Sokolov symbolizes the lengths to which Russian authorities are willing to go to silence dissent and human rights defenders. The background of the case reveals…
- He heads the “Legal Foundation” defending prisoners’ rights
- He was arrested after a raid of his home by Russian security forces
- He was charged with “repeated demonstration of prohibited symbols”
What were the details of the arrest?
The arrest of Aleksei Sokolov was marked by heavy-handedness and harsh treatment. The raids also targeted his son and fellow human rights activist, Larisa Zakharova. Details include…
- Larisa Zakharova’s husband was reportedly beaten during the search
- Her teenage daughter was threatened by law enforcement officers
- During the arrest, Sokolov was allegedly ill-treated
With this arrest, Amnesty International calls for the immediate release of Aleksei Sokolov and the cessation of these unjust criminal proceedings in Russia.
Source: www.amnesty.org