Attorney faces felony charges for refusing to testify against client, jailed for ‘striking’ policemen with ballpoint pen

The authorities in Buryatia are prosecuting Natalia Nizovkina, a civil liberties activist and defense attorney representing the Ulan-Ude resident Natalia Filonova in a separate overtly political case.

Although Nizovkina cannot legally be a witness in the same case in which she figures as a defense attorney, she is facing felony charges for “refusing to provide witness testimony.” The lawyer believes this to be an indirect repressive tactic aimed at her client, the antiwar activist Natalia Filonova.

Meduza wrote about Filonova’s ordeal earlier this spring. While being transported to a protest-related court hearing, she allegedly “assaulted” the police convoy with a ballpoint pen. She is now awaiting trial for using violence against the authorities. Her teenage adopted son is, meanwhile, in custody of the state.

Filonova’s attorney has publicized her client’s story widely and refused to sign a non-disclosure agreement in connection with the case. She believes the prosecution is trying to hush up the case while sabotaging Filonova’s defense in court.