Vadim Ostanin, a former coordinator of Alexei Navalny's Headquarters* in Barnaul, has been sentenced to nine years in a penal colony. The court found him guilty of participating in an extremist community and an organization that violates citizens' rights. This news was reported by Navalny’s supporters on July 24.
The court has sentenced Vadim Ostanin, a former coordinator of Alexei Navalny's Headquarters in Barnaul, to nine years in a penal colony. He was found guilty of involvement in an extremist community’s actions and an organization that violates citizens' rights.
Ostanin was detained in December 2021. Three months later, the court issued an arrest warrant for him. During his pre-trial detention, Ostanin complained about the law enforcers' pressure, who allegedly seized his medicines and personal belongings.
Vadim Ostanin was involved in anti-corruption activities in the Altai region and served as the head of Navalny's headquarters, initially in Biysk and later in Barnaul.
In June, Lilia Chanysheva, Ostanin’s colleague from Ufa, was sentenced to 7.5 years in a penal colony. She was found guilty of promoting extremism, establishing an organization that violates citizens' rights, and participating in an extremist community.
Chanysheva conducted anti-corruption investigations, ran in elections, participated in peaceful protests, and advocated for Bashkiria's problems. The case against Lilia Chanysheva was the first in a series of cases against Navalny's supporters.
* The organization Navalny's Headquarters is banned in the Russian Federation.
