Alexey Sokolov

Cases

Relevant SG report

From Country

Country Geolocation

Latitude: 61.52401

Longitude: 105.318756

From Region

UN body that raised the case prior to the SG report

Individual's/organization's activity: Mr. Sokolov is a human rights defender, and founder of the NGO “Pravovaya Osnava,” addressing human rights violations in detention in Russia.

Type of rights defended

Was the victim a civil servant or member of the security forces or of the judiciary?: No

Reported trigger of reprisal: human rights work as well as reprisals for cooperation with the United Nations, in relation to a police search of his residence and seizure of private documents.

Engagement with UN body

Type of attempted engagement

Reprisal information

On 5 July 2024, Mr. Sokolov was arrested and detained on charges of “repeated demonstration of extremist symbols,” under part 1 of Article 282.4, of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, which carry a sentence of up to four years imprisonment. Earlier the same day, law enforcement officials had reportedly conducted a search of his apartment and seized various documents, including powers of attorney, authorizing Mr. Sokolov to represent alleged victims of ill-treatment before United Nations treaty bodies. Reportedly, photographs of these documents were later published on a pro-government channel, which allegedly claimed that Mr. Sokolov was part of a foreign intelligence network. (AL RUS 5/2024)
On 6 July 2024, the Leninskiy District Court of Yekaterinburg authorized the administrative detention of Mr. Sokolov, and, two days later, ordered his pre-trial detention until 1 September 2024. The investigation found that Mr. Sokolov had posted materials which were described as discrediting the penitentiary system, and that he had publicly displayed from October to December 2023a social media logo, which is prohibited.. Mr. Sokolov had reportedly been the first to disclose a video showing the severe beating of a detainee, which was reportedly then publicly circulated (AL RUS 5/2024).

Types of reprisals suffered

Does the report make general comment about country’s environment for engagement with UN?: No

Further case development

On 26 July 2024, mandate holders raised concerns that Mr. Sokolov had been subjected to reprisals for cooperation with the United Nations. They highlighted the potential deterrent effect this could have on others who may want to engage with United Nationshuman rights mechanisms and called on the authorities to end intimidation and reprisals against those who seek to cooperate with United Nations human rights bodies and mechanisms.
On 8 January 2025, mandate holders welcomed the 4 January 2025 release of Mr. Sokolov from pre-trial detention. They emphasized that Mr. Sokolov should not have been deprived of his liberty in the first place and urged that all charges against him be dropped.

Government response content

On 17 July 2025, the Government responded to the note verbale sent in connection to the present report, asserting that, with regard to the Russian Federation, the report does not accurately reflect the facts and the allegations should not be included. Specific allegations included in the report were not otherwise addressed. The Government provided additional information unrelated to allegations of intimidation and reprisals for cooperation with the United Nations.

Is the country cited for a "pattern of reprisal" in the context of this case?: No

Is a pattern of reprisals mentioned otherwise in the context of this case?: No

Does the report cite "self-censorship" as an issue in the context of this case?: Yes

#EndReprisals