Human rights in Russia: Prominent election observer in Russia sentenced

After the detection of mass violations in elections in Russia, a court sentenced the internationally known observer Grigori Melkonjanz to five years in prison in the penalty camp. Judge Jewgenija Nikolajewa found the civil rights activist of an undesirable organization guilty, as reported by the Interfax news agency. The election rights expert Melkonjanz is co-chair of the independent election observer organization Golos, which had repeatedly made manipulation in elections in Russia.

The public prosecutor had asked for six years in prison for the 44-year-old. “I don’t despair, she doesn’t despise,” said Melkonjanz, according to the independent portal “Mediazona”, his supporters present in the judgment. Human rights activists criticize the procedure against Golos as an act of politically motivated judiciary.

The non -governmental organization Golos, founded in 2000, is considered the most renowned institute for observing elections in Russia. Because the organization has repeatedly registered and documented violations in votes, it quickly made enemies in the power apparatus. The Russian Ministry of Justice classified Golos as a foreign agent, but the organization has not yet been on the list of undesirable and therefore forbidden organizations in Russia.

Melkonjanz is accused of cooperation at the European election observer network European Network of Election Monitoring Organizations (Enemo). Enemo is on the ban in Russia. Melkonjanz has been in custody since mid -2023. Since the time spent in ratio is counted towards one and a half to the punishment, the civil rights activist still has to go to the penalty camp for 2.5 years.