Human rights defender from Ural registered as "extremist" in pre-trial detention
A commission led by Alexey Kiselev, the acting head of Pre-Trial Detention Center No. 1 in Yekaterinburg, has registered Alexey Sokolov for preventive monitoring as an "extremist." Sokolov faces criminal charges for the repeated display of prohibited symbols (Part 1 of Article 282.4 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).
Vladimir Gorkin, the deputy head of the Main Directorate of the Federal Penitentiary Service for Sverdlovsk Oblast, came to the pre-trial detention center to inspect Sokolov's cell. He was dissatisfied that Sokolov kept case materials on an empty bed.
On July 26, UN experts Mariana Katzarova and Mary Lawlor demanded the release of Alexey Sokolov and the dropping of all charges against him. In the organization's statement, the persecution of Sokolov was described as an "attempt to punish him for his lawful and peaceful human rights activities."
Alexey Sokolov was detained on July 5 after a search of his apartment, during which law enforcement officers pinned him to the floor and questioned his position in the "criminal world." Sokolov reported that he was beaten during the detention and was not informed of the reason for the search for several hours. He is accused of publishing the Facebook logo in the Telegram channel "Ural Human Rights Defenders."
According to "Vechernie Vedomosti," the persecution of Sokolov is related to his professional activities, as he consults prisoners and defends their rights.