Human rights defender Nagavkin challenges his verdict before transportation to penal colony

In his appeal, human rights defender Igor Nagavkin pointed out violations committed during the consideration of the case on disorganization of the operation of a SIZO (pre-trial prison) and requested court to cancel the verdict. Tomorrow, Igor Nagavkin will be transported to a penal colony, where he is to serve his two-year sentence.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that on June 26, Igor Nagavkin was found guilty of disorganization of the SIZO’s operation in May 2023. Then he was placed to a cell with suspects accused under the article on sexual acts with minors. The human rights defender expressed his protest by smashing the furniture in the cell and verbally squabbling with SIZO warders. They considered the Igor Nagavkin’s words addressed to them a threat to their lives and health.

In his appeal, Igor Nagavkin pointed out gross discrepancies between the appellate ruling and the real situation and a number of other violations committed by the Volgograd Regional Court.

“Nothing objectively confirms the biased attitude, speculation and assumption of a victim, who claimed that he saw a threat of violence or a threat to life and health in the obscene expression I voiced,” Igor Nagavkin stated.

The convicted human rights defender also pointed out numerous violations committed by the police during the forensic examination.

Valentin Bogdan, the executive director of the “In Defence of the Prisoners’ Rights”* Foundation, has added that the fundraising for an advocate to defend Igor Nagavkin has not yet been completed.

Igor Nagavkin intends to go to the penal colony on October 10. “I do not consider myself guilty and will demand the cancellation of the sentence and full rehabilitation,” the human rights defender stated.

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