Urgent Action: Lawyer assaulted and arbitrarily detained in Russia

A human rights lawyer has been arrested, beaten and detained by police in Russia. He is a prisoner of conscience.

On 9 September, lawyer Mikhail Benyash was arrested, beaten and detained by police after meeting his client who had taken part in a peaceful protest in Krasnodar, a city in the south of Russia. A court convicted and sentenced Mikhail Benyash to 14 days in administrative detention on 11 September. He is a prisoner of conscience and must be immediately and unconditionally released.

Take action

Write calling on Russian authorities to: 

• Immediately and unconditionally release Mikhail Benyash as has been detained solely in connection to his work as a human rights lawyer;
• Conduct a thorough, effective and impartial investigation into the circumstances of his arrest and allegations of ill-treatment by the police, and ensure those suspected to be responsible are brought to justice in fair trials;
• Guarantee that all lawyers in Russia can carry out their professional duties without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference, in accordance with international standards, including the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers. 

Contact these officials before 24 October:

Minister of Interior

Ministry of the Interior of the Russian Federation

Vladimir Kokoltsev

Ul. Zhitnaya d. 16

119049 Moscow, Russian Federation

Fax: +7 495 667 05 98 (wait for signal)

Salutation: Dear Minister

Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation

Yuriy Yakovlevich Chaika

Prosecutor General’s Office

Ul. B. Dmitrovka, d.15a

125993 Moscow GSP-3, Russian Federation

Fax: +7495 987 58 41/ +7495 692 17 25

Salutation: Dear Prosecutor General    

And copies to:

Russian Federal Chamber of Lawyers  

Yuriy Pilipenko    

43 Sivtsev Vrazhek Lane

119002 Moscow, Russian Federation

Email: [email protected]

Salutation: Dear President 

and:

HIS EXCELLENCY MR ALEXANDER VLADIMIROVICH YAKOVENKO

Embassy of Russia

6-7 Kensington Palace Gardens

London

W8 4QP

[email protected]

020 7229 6412