Vadim Kobzev, Igor Sergunin and Alexei Liptser

ALERT 30/09/2024

ALERT 31/10/2023

 

RUSSIA : Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s lawyers tried behind closed doors

 

30 September 2024

Alexei Liptser, Igor Sergounine and Vadim Kobzev, arrested in October 2023, face up to six years in prison for “providing information to their client in order to prepare extremist crimes”. These charges are obviously linked to their defence of the most prominent opponent of Vladimir Putin’s regime, who died in prison last February.

The lawyers’ trial is taking place under secretive conditions in Petushki, a secluded town to the north-east of Moscow. Since the start of the hearings in September, the press and the public have been systematically excluded on the pretext of a closed session, preventing any transparency.

The accusations against these lawyers are based in particular on the tapping of their telephone conversations with their clients, an illegal practice that seriously violates the principle of confidentiality of lawyer-client communications. Alexei Liptser, Igor Sergounine and Vadim Kobzev are also accused of smuggling Navalny’s letters out of prison, “helping him to carry out extremist activities behind bars”. They were also added to a list of ‘terrorists and extremists’ in Russia.

The Observatory is deeply concerned about the trial behind closed doors of Alexeï Navalny’s three lawyers, who have been charged with ‘extremism’ in Russia. 

The Observatory denounces this serious attack on the rights of defence and reiterates its solidarity with the lawyers persecuted for defending fundamental rights in Russia.

The Observatory calls on the Russian authorities to :

• Ensure a fair, public and transparent trial for Alexei Liptser, Igor Sergounine and Vadim Kobzev
• Respect professional secrecy and put an end to the use of eavesdropping in legal proceedings

The Observatory recalls that, in accordance with the United Nations basic principles on the role of the Bar, in particular principles 18, 22 and 27:

“Lawyers shall not be identified with their clients or their clients’ causes as a result of discharging their functions.” (Principle 18)

“Governments shall recognize and respect that all communications and consultations between lawyers and their clients within their professional relationship are confidential.” (Principle 22)

“Charges or complaints made against lawyers in their professional capacity shall be processed expeditiously and fairly under appropriate procedures. Lawyers shall have the right to a fair hearing, including the right to be assisted by a lawyer of their choice.” (Principle 27)

 

 

RUSSIA : Lawyers for Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny detained by the authorities

31 October 2023

 

Three of the lawyers representing Vladimir Putin’s opponent, Alexei Navalny, have been arrested and detained after their homes were searched by the Russian authorities.

 

Vadim Kobzev, Igor Sergunin and Alexei Liptser were subject to arbitrary searches and arrests by the Russian authorities. They are accused of participating in an extremist group.

As Alexei Navalny has been serving a 19-year prison sentence since 2021, these arrests represent a way of completely isolating the Russian opposition leader. Navalny is due to be transferred to a high-security detention centre, the highest level of security in the Russian prison system.

These arrests highlight the increased pressure on lawyers and political detainees in Russia. Indeed, the conditions under which lawyers in Russia practise their profession are notoriously difficult, making their work extremely challenging. As the judicial system is closely linked to the activities of the political authorities, these difficulties are all the more compelling when political cases are involved.

Alexei Navalny’s lawyers were his only means of communication with the outside world, particularly his close relatives. According to Navalny’s spokesperson Kira Yarmysh, “if he won’t have access to lawyers, he will end up in complete isolation, the kind no one can really even imagine”[1].

 

The Observatory condemns the Russian authorities’ interference in the exercise of the profession of lawyer.

The Observatory urges the authorities to implement immediate measures to put an end to all forms of aggression against lawyers in the Russian Federation.

The Observatory urges the Russian Federation to ensure full respect of all fair trial guarantees in the cases involving Vadim Kobzev, Igor Sergunin and Alexei Liptser.

The Observatory recalls that, in accordance with the provisions of the United Nations Principles on the Role of Lawyers, in particular principles 16, 18 and 27:

Principle 16: “Governments shall ensure that lawyers (a) are able to perform all of their professional functions without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference; (…)”

Principle 18: “Lawyers shall not be identified with their clients or their clients’ causes as a result of discharging their functions.”

Principle 27: “Charges or complaints made against lawyers in their professional capacity shall be processed expeditiously and fairly under appropriate procedures. Lawyers shall have the right to a fair hearing, including the right to be assisted by a lawyer of their choice.”

 

 

 

[1] The Guardian, “Russia detains lawyers acting for opposition leader Alexei Navalny”, published on 14 October 2023, available online.