In Volgograd, court reduces sentence of human rights defender Igor Nagavkin

The Volgograd Regional Court partially granted an appeal filed by Igor Nagavkin and reduced his sentence by two months to five years and 10 months of imprisonment. Advocate Ilya Govorukhin intends to challenge the court’s decision at a court of cassation, and human rights defender Valentin Bogdan claimed violations during the trial and falsification of the case.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that on April 18, the court found Igor Nagavkin guilty of stealing jewellery and sentenced him to six years of imprisonment. On June 28, the prosecutor’s office requested tougher punishment for Igor Nagavkin. On July 12, the court dismissed all the motions filed by Igor Nagavkin. In his final speech, the convicted human rights defender questioned the impartiality and fairness of the court of appeal.

Advocate Ilya Govorukhin emphasizes that the case file contains false information, and police officers provided the court with the information about obvious falsifications.

Natalia, a sister of Igor Nagavkin, voiced her fears about the brother’s health and expressed her concern for his life.

Valentin Bogdan, the executive director of the Foundation “In Defence of the Rights of Prisoners”*, notes that there is still hope for acquittal. “From my own experience, I know that those who go to the very end achieve the desired result. This is a complex trial ... People sometimes serve their full term of imprisonment and then are acquitted,” the human rights defender stated.

*Included by the Russian Ministry of Justice (MoJ) into the register of foreign agents.