Russian Federation
Alexey Gorinov: UN Working Group opinion and current status
The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention found that his detention "is arbitrary and falls within categories II, III and V". It asked for his immediate release, an enforceable right to compensation and an independent investigation.1
Category IICategory IIICategory V
Government position
The Government replied on 23 September 2022. It said a criminal case was opened because Mr. Gorinov disseminated knowingly false information, and justified pretrial detention on the ground that he "may hide or put pressure on witnesses". The Working Group found this explanation insufficient.1
Background
According to the opinion, Mr. Gorinov, a member of the Krasnoselsky Municipal Council in Moscow, was arrested on 26 April 2022 over remarks about the war made at a council meeting on 15 March 2022, and was charged under article 207.3 of the Criminal Code. On 8 July 2022 the Meshchansky District Court sentenced him to seven years, which the source said was reduced on appeal to six years and 11 months.1
Status now
In prison. On 29 November 2024 a court in the Vladimir region sentenced him to a further three years on a charge of justifying terrorism, which he denied, per AP and AFP. OVD-Info reported on 26 September 2025 that he was held in Correctional Colony No. 10 in Rubtsovsk, Altai Krai, and that the new sentence was upheld in April 2025.2,3,4
As of 26 September 2025.
Sources
- UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, Opinion No. 78/2022 concerning Alexey Gorinov (Russian Federation), A/HRC/WGAD/2022/78 (16 November 2022)
- Associated Press (via ABC News), Jailed Kremlin critic convicted again and handed new prison term for opposing the war in Ukraine (29 November 2024)
- AFP (via Kyiv Post), Ex-Moscow City Councillor Gets Additional 3-Year Sentence for Anti-War Stance (29 November 2024)
- OVD-Info, Former municipal deputy Alexei Gorinov has been released from the punishment cell (26 September 2025)