Russia — helping those driven to complete poverty by state repression

In modern Russia, not only critics of the authorities are persecuted, but also those who try to defend them. The story of lawyers Aleksei Liptser, Vadim Kobzev and Igor Sergunin is a vivid example of how far repression can go. All three represented Alexei Navalny until his still-unexplained death in custody. But on 13 October 2023, they themselves became targets: the lawyers were detained and accused of “participation in an extremist community.” Just a month later, they were added to the official list of “terrorists and extremists.”

It is believed that Igor Sergunin pleaded guilty in hopes of a lighter sentence. Liptser and Kobzev refused to give false confessions and declared their innocence. On 17 January 2025, the court sentenced Kobzev to five and a half years in prison and Liptser to five years.

However, the pressure from the authorities did not stop there. All property of the lawyers and their families was blocked: bank accounts, savings, even the personal cards of their spouses and relatives. Their families were left completely without access to finances — with no money for medicine, food, children’s clothing, or utilities. They live under the constant threat of losing their homes. The situation is further complicated by the fact that financial assistance from abroad is effectively prohibited in Russia and can lead to prosecution.

Despite this, safe ways to help still exist. The Human Rights Defense Center tested one such channel successfully: €2000 were transferred through trusted intermediaries in a neighboring country and reached the families. The assistance arrived on time, and the families expressed deep gratitude. For security reasons, the route details are not disclosed, but this channel remains reliable — offering a small but important window of opportunity.

To provide stable support for the families, a special fund has been created. Every donation is not only real assistance to people in a difficult situation but also a peaceful act of solidarity against arbitrariness and the repressive policies of the Russian regime.