Novikov Ilya Sergeevich

In Moscow in October 2023, a criminal case was opened for high treason in the form of "going over to the side of the enemy" and justifying terrorism against former lawyer Ilya Novikov. The details of the charges are unknown. On August 1, 2024, the Lefortovo District Court of Moscow chose custody as a preventive measure for Novikova in absentia. The term will be calculated from the moment of crossing the state border of the Russian Federation and transferring to the convoy service of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia, or from the moment of detention on the territory of the Russian Federation. In November 2022, Novikov was included in the list of 'foreign agents', and in 2023 - deprived of the status of a lawyer in Russia. In October 2023, it became known about the initiation of a criminal case for high treason 'in the form of switching to the side of the enemy' against lawyer Ilya Novikov. According to security forces, Novikov left the territory of Russia and voluntarily joined the territorial defense of Ukraine, where he underwent training and 'engages in propaganda work.'" 3. At the end of December 2023, the Investigative Committee opened another criminal case against the lawyer—under the article on "fakes" about the Russian army. The reason for the new criminal prosecution was an interview posted on YouTube in which Novikov speaks about the involvement of the Russian army in the killings of civilians in Bucha. The FSB's expert analysis also identified in Novikov's statements a "motive of political hatred and enmity, including towards representatives of the highest organs of Russian governance. On February 14, 2024, the Gagarin District Court of Moscow issued a ruling on the selection of an in absentia arrest in relation to Novikov. The term of arrest will be calculated from the moment of his extradition or deportation to the territory of the Russian Federation, or from his actual detention on the territory of the Russian Federation. Earlier, on May 30, the Council of the Moscow Bar Chamber deprived Novikov of his lawyer's status due to an interview with the YouTube channel "Popular Politics", in which he spoke out against the war and Putin. Since 2019, Novikov has been living in Ukraine. In Russia, he was put on the wanted list and included in the register of "foreign agents. On June 11, 2024, the Gagarin District Court of Moscow found Ilya Novikov guilty and sentenced him in absentia to 8 years and 6 months in prison, to be served in a general regime penal colony, with a 4-year ban on engaging in legal practice and administering websites. The verdict was not appealed and entered into legal force.