Joint statement by human rights organizations on the unjust, politically motivated sentence of Russian human rights activist Oleg Orlov

Orlov (b. 1953) is one of the most famous human rights activists in Russia. He dedicated his life to documenting human rights violations and helping victims of abuses. His “crime” boils down to protesting the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine and the escalation of repression within Russia. The Orlov trial is a mockery of justice and a blow to the fundamental right to free expression. Orlov, who was taken into custody in the courtroom, will challenge the unfair verdict.

Russian authorities must immediately cease their prosecution of Orlov and release him, as well as all those imprisoned as retaliation for exercising their basic rights, including the right to publicly criticize the authorities' violations of their international legal obligations. Key international actors need to do everything possible to secure Orlov's release and hold Russian authorities accountable for gross and systematic human rights violations.