UN appeals for release of Ukraine conflict critic detained in Russia

The UN special rapporteur on human rights in Russia called Monday for the immediate and unconditional release of Alexei Gorinov, the first person convicted for speaking out against Moscow's war in Ukraine.

"I am outraged by the severity of the punishments imposed on peaceful anti-war voices in today's Russia. Alexei Gorinov is paying an incredibly high price for exercising his freedom of speech," Mariana Katzarova said.

In November, Russia sentenced Gorinov to a further three years in prison in a second trial.

The 63-year-old -- a former Moscow city councillor -- is already serving a seven-year sentence following a conviction in 2022.

"Despite repeated calls by me, the international community and Russian civil society for Gorinov's release and access to adequate healthcare, the opposite has occurred," said Katzarova.

"Russian authorities continue prosecuting Gorinov and other individuals for political reasons.

"In addition to arbitrary detention and sham trials, Alexei Gorinov's condition of detention amounts to torture."

UN special rapporteurs are independent experts mandated by the Human Rights Council. They do not therefore speak for the United Nations itself.

Katzarova's latest report to the council found that laws were being systematically used to target peaceful protesters and dissenting voices in Russia.

"I will continue to call for the release of political prisoners, whose number has risen to nearly 2,000 and possibly many more," she said.

"The abuse of national security legislation to silence dissent in Russia must end."

In July 2022, Gorinov was sentenced to seven years in jail after chiding colleagues at a council meeting for planning a children's drawing competition while the Ukraine offensive was underway.

He was found guilty of "knowingly spreading false information about the actions of the Russian army", becoming the first person to be sentenced for this new offence.