Law enforcement agencies have conducted searches at the homes of Yekaterinburg-based human rights defenders specializing in prisoners’ rights and detention conditions.

Searches were carried out at the residences of Alexey Sokolov, Larisa Zakharova, and lawyer Roman Kachanov. Investigators allege that, under the guise of human rights work in correctional facilities, the lawyers allegedly received and utilized grants from organizations designated as undesirable in Russia, including the Norwegian Helsinki Committee and the National Endowment for Democracy.

The investigation is being conducted under Part 3 of Article 284.1 of the Russian Criminal Code (organization of activities of an undesirable organization).

The case was reportedly initiated following a denunciation filed by Ekaterina Saprykina, head of staff of the pro-government movement “Volunteer Company of the Combat Brotherhood.”

The Sverdlovsk Regional Bar Association has stated its readiness to provide legal assistance to Roman Kachanov. Legal professionals have raised concerns that mandatory notification procedures may not have been followed, noting that searches of attorneys require formal notification of the bar association. Failure to comply with this requirement could indicate procedural violations.

Photo, Katyusha