Larisa Baragunova
Larisa Baragunova, born 1957, Kabardino-Balkaria. Charges: Article 318 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Use of dangerous violence against a government official); “Larisa Baragunova's case of violence against law enforcers”. Sentence (September 2, 2024): 3 years in a penal colony. Status: at large.
In brief
Kabardino-Balkaria · Tyrnyauz · Human rights defenders
Sentence
3 years
in a penal colony
Upheld January 28, 2025
Charges
- Article 318 part 2, Russian Criminal Code — Use of dangerous violence against a government official
Full wording of the charges
According to the prosecution, the woman injured two police officers during their visit to search her home. The law enforcement officials stated that Baragunova pinched one officer on the leg with the door and struck the other on the head.
Latest event
August 12, 2025 — removed from the rosfinmonitoring list
Timeline
· Removed from the Rosfinmonitoring list
· Persecution ends
· Imprisonment ends
· Appeal ruling
upheld
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 3 years
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Preventive measure: temporary stay in hospital
· Persecution begins
Larisa Baragunova's case of violence against law enforcers
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
Pre-trial Detention Centre №1 (SIZO-1) of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russian Federation for the Kabardino-Balkar Republic
Criminal case
Larisa Baragunova's case of violence against law enforcers
- Case number
- 1-9/2024 (1-69/2023;)
Details and sources
Full summary
Larisa Baragunova is the head of the branch of the organization "Union SSR trade union" in Tyrnyauz, which she says was created by her in 2019 to protect the rights of citizens.
On 7 March 2023, the police came to her flat to conduct operational-search activities, during which, according to the investigation, she hit one of the law enforcers on the leg with an iron door, which made him have to seek medical help.
On 17 March 2023, the Elbrus District Court of the Kabardino-Balkar Republic sent her to custody as part of a case under the article on the use of violence against a police officer (Article 318 of the Criminal Code). She is being held in a pre-trial detention centre in Nalchik. On 24 April 2023, the case went to court for consideration on the merits. Baragunova is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and has a daughter with a group 1 disability who requires constant care.
During one of the sessions, Baragunova's neighbour, who was present at the operative-search event that gave rise to the case, said that she had not heard any screams or complaints from the injured law enforcement officer.
On 2 September 2024, Baragunova was sentenced to three years in a general regime penal colony. Presumably she was released on 1 April 2025.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
Other people prosecuted under Article 318 part 2, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.