Nadezhda Nizovkina
Nadezhda Nizovkina, born 1986, Buryatia. Charges: Article 308, Russian Criminal Code (Refusal to give testimony or evasion of examination); “The case of Nadezhda Nizovkina's refusal to testify”, opened on May 1, 2023. Previously convicted under Article 282 part 1, Russian Criminal Code. Status: at large. Recognition: Memorial Human Rights Centre — recognised as a political prisoner, February 23, 2013; Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners — recognised as a political prisoner, February 23, 2013.
In brief
Buryatia · Ulan-Ude · Human rights defenders, Lawyers · Extremism cases
Sentence
a 100,000 roubles fine
No information about an appeal ruling.
Charges
- Article 282 part 1, Russian Criminal Code — Incitement of hatred or enmity
- Article 308, Russian Criminal Code — Refusal to give testimony or evasion of examination
Full wording of the charges
She distributed leaflets aimed at "forming a negative image of the Russian military, police officers, and personnel in investigative bodies", which contained "negative assessment and description of the actions of the FSB officers" and aimed at violating the honour and dignity of security forces officers.
Latest event
May 1, 2023 — criminal case opened
The case of Nadezhda Nizovkina's refusal to testify
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as a political prisoner — Memorial Human Rights Centre, February 23, 2013
- Recognised as a political prisoner — Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners, February 23, 2013
Timeline
· Criminal case opened
The case of Nadezhda Nizovkina's refusal to testify
· Recognised as a political prisoner
Memorial Human Rights Centre
· Persecution ends
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
Pre-trial Detention Centre №1 (SIZO-1) of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russian Federation for the Republic of Buryatia
· Persecution begins
The Nizovkina and Stetsura case
Criminal case
The case of Nadezhda Nizovkina's refusal to testify
Details and sources
Full summary
On 23 April 2009, a case of incitement to hatred was initiated because of the distribution of leaflets about the activities of the security authorities. On 31 December 2010, she was detained near her home on her way to the "Strategy-31" rally. On the same day, she was taken into custody by the court order. On 19 January 2011, she was sentenced to a fine of 100,000 roubles. On 10 March, the appeals court cancelled the sentence. On 4 June 2014, the first instance court started hearing the case again, but then it was returned to the prosecutor's office.
On 16 February 2020, the case was dismissed due to the partial decriminalisation of Article 282 of the Criminal Code and the experts' indication that security services personnel do not form a single social group to be protected from incitement to hatred.
On 26 September 2022, Nizovkina and activist Natalia Filonova, who had been detained at a rally against mobilisation two days earlier, were brought to the Sovetsky District Court for a hearing of an administrative case for repeated violation of the rules of participation in a rally (part 8 of Article 20.2 of the Code of Administrative Offences), but the court announced an evacuation. They were taken away by different cars, after which a criminal case was opened against Filonova for using violence against police officers. Nizovkina represented her interests, but then she was questioned as a witness, so she could no longer act as a defence counsel. Later, a case was brought against Nizovkina for refusing to testify in the Filonova case. At the end of summer 2023, the case was dismissed.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
- Persecution episodes
- 2
Other people prosecuted under Article 282 part 1, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.