Defendant Alexander Ivshin / photo: "Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia" The Abinsky District Court of the Krasnodar Territory sentenced the 63-year-old witness Jehovah Alexander Ivshin to the seven and a half years. This was reported by the OTS-Info in the European Association of Jehovah's Witnesses. The believer was found guilty of organizing the activities of an extremist organization (part 1 of article 282.2 of the Criminal Code).

The Moscow authorities did not agree on a rally in support of Alexei Navalny and other political prisoners, which the Libertarian Party wanted to hold on February 23. This is stated in the telegram channel of the party. Officials explained their refusal by the epidemiological situation and the related ban on holding rallies. Representatives of the party, according to Dozhd, announced 11 possible locations for the action in the center of Moscow.

The Moscow authorities refused to coordinate the procession and rally of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation in honor of the Day of the Soviet Army on February 23. This is stated on the website of the party. In their refusal, officials referred to the “emerging epidemiological situation” and the fight against coronavirus.

The State Duma adopted in the third reading a bill that toughens punishment under the article on disobedience to the lawful demands of police officers and other law enforcement agencies (Article 19.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses). Information about this is posted on the website that publishes data on legislative activity.

A justice of the peace in Moscow imposed fines of 11 million rubles on Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty projects under the “foreign agents” law. This was reported by Interfax with reference to the press service of Roskomnadzor. In total, 40 cases were considered in relation to nine media outlets that are projects of RSE/RS LLC.

In Volgograd, plainclothes police detained human rights activist Igor Nagavkin during a solo picket outside the regional prosecutor's office. This is reported by the publication " Caucasian Knot " and the telegram channel " Bloknot Volgograd ". Nagavkin held a picket to draw attention to the criminal case under the article on theft (Article 158 of the Criminal Code), which was initiated against him. He considers the case fabricated.

The Investigative Committee demands to arrest 22-year-old Alexei Milyaev, accused in a criminal case on the application of violence to a representative of the authorities (part 1 of article 318 of the Criminal Code). This was reported by TASS with reference to the press service of the Presnensky court of Moscow, which received the corresponding application. SK petaches Milyaev’s detention until April 8, 2021.

Employees of the Investigative Committee, FSB, police and the Russian National Guard came to search 16 addresses in Moscow. Investigative actions are taking place within the framework of a criminal case under articles on organizing the activities of an extremist organization (Part 1 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code) and participation in it (Part 2 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code), which was opened against Jehovah's Witnesses. The Investigative Committee reports this on its website.

The Moscow City Court left in pre-trial detention center Evgeny Yessenov, a defendant in the case of using violence against a government official (Part 1 of Article 318 of the Criminal Code) because of the action on January 23. TASS reports this. Yessenov admitted his guilt. Earlier, the Presnensky Court of Moscow sent the man into custody for two months, until March 24, 2021.

Leonid Volkov, head of Alexei Navalny’s network of headquarters, was put on the interstate wanted list, Interfax citing the court’s press service. The Moscow City Court reports the investigation's request for Volkov's arrest in absentia. Volkov is currently abroad.