\n
Mariana Katzarova, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation, urged Russian authorities to release lawyers Vadim Kobzev, Alexei Liptser and Igor Sergunin, who were sentenced on 17 January to prison terms on \u201cextremism\u201d charges.<\/p>\n
Their trial, held in the Petushki district court of the Vladimir region, was criticized as a sham.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis week, when we mark the International Day of the Endangered Lawyer, the Russian Government continues reprisals against lawyers for carrying out their professional duties<\/strong>,\u201d Ms. Katzarova said.<\/p>\nShe called for the immediate release of three lawyers, and for the verdict against them to be annulled.<\/p>\n
Chilling effect<\/h2>\n
The sentencing of Mr. Kobzev, Mr. Liptser and Mr. Sergunin serves as a \u201cchilling warning\u201d to lawyers considering politically sensitive cases in Russia, Ms. Katzarova said, describing the charges as baseless under international law.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe term \u2018extremism\u2019 has no foundation in international law and constitutes a violation of human rights when used to trigger criminal liability,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The trial took place behind closed doors, although around 50 people were allowed into the courtroom as the verdict was handed down, including journalists and lawyers, according to a news release issued by the Special Rapporteur.<\/p>\n
Five others, four of them journalists, were arbitrarily detained, apparently to prevent them from attending the hearing. They were later released.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe persecution of lawyers and journalists is part of an alarming pattern of targeted repression and State control<\/strong> that is silencing independent media and the legal profession throughout Russia,\u201d Ms. Katzarova added.<\/p>\nEscalating repressions<\/h2>\n
The Special Rapporteur\u2019s 2024 report to the UN Human Rights Council documented continuing attacks on the legal profession in Russia.<\/p>\n
\u201cLawyers have been imprisoned, prosecuted, disbarred and intimidated simply for carrying out their professional duties,\u201d Ms. Katzarova said.<\/p>\n
She noted \u201cwidespread use\u201d of vague legal definitions and unpredictable, often abusive, interpretations, as well as closed trials which have allowed Russian authorities to misuse and instrumentalise counter-extremism, counter-terrorism and national security legislation to stifle critics, ban anti-war speech, imprison legitimate political opponents and punish and endanger their defence lawyers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis practice must end,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
Independent expert<\/h2>\n
The mandate of the Special Rapporteur was established by the Human Rights Council in October 2022, and subsequently extended.<\/p>\n
Ms. Katzarova was appointed as the Special Rapporteur by the Council in April 2023 and assumed her function on 1 May 2023. She is not a UN staff member, does not draw a salary, and serves in her individual capacity, independent of the UN Secretariat.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n
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