The United States has imposed sanctions today on Olesya Mendeleeva, a Russian judge, for her role in the arbitrary detention of Moscow city councilor and human rights advocate Alexei Gorinov. Mendeleeva, who sentenced Gorinov to seven years in prison in July 2022, is being held accountable under the Global Magnitsky sanctions program for her involvement in the unlawful imprisonment of a vocal critic of the Russian government.
Gorinov, a prominent opponent of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, was detained after he publicly spoke out against the war. In addition to the politically motivated nature of his arrest, Gorinov has been subjected to physical abuse and denial of medical care while in custody. His treatment has drawn widespread international condemnation as a direct attack on freedom of speech and political dissent.
Sanctions for Human Rights Violations
Olesya Mendeleeva’s role in sentencing Gorinov to an unjust prison term has triggered sanctions by the U.S. Department of the Treasury under Executive Order 13818, which is part of the broader Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. The order targets individuals and entities worldwide who are implicated in gross human rights violations, and today’s action underscores the U.S. commitment to holding accountable those responsible for repressing freedom of expression and suppressing opposition voices.
In a statement, U.S. Department of State Spokesperson Matthew Miller expressed solidarity with the Russian people, who face increasing persecution for exercising their basic human rights. “The United States stands with the Russian people, who continue to endure repression and violence for peacefully exercising their fundamental freedoms,” said Miller. “We call for the immediate and unconditional release of Alexei Gorinov and all others who have been unjustly detained by the Russian Federation.”
Accountability and Support for Human Rights
The U.S. government continues to press for accountability in Russia and globally for human rights abuses. Miller reaffirmed the U.S. government’s commitment to fighting for the release of political prisoners and to promoting human rights protections, even as authoritarian crackdowns continue. “We remain steadfast in our support for human rights defenders, journalists, and activists who courageously speak out against abuses, despite the risks they face,” he said.
The sanctions imposed today are part of the broader U.S. strategy to hold Russian authorities accountable for their treatment of dissidents, journalists, and political opponents. Since the beginning of Russia’s war against Ukraine, the U.S. has taken multiple actions to challenge the Russian government’s repression and support individuals who are unjustly imprisoned for their political views.
Broader Context of U.S. Sanctions
These latest sanctions come as part of ongoing efforts to use U.S. diplomatic tools to promote accountability for serious human rights violations globally. The Global Magnitsky Act provides the U.S. government with the authority to sanction individuals implicated in crimes such as torture, arbitrary detention, and extrajudicial killings.
The U.S. government has previously used this law to target Russian officials, including those involved in the suppression of opposition figures, media freedoms, and peaceful protests. Sanctions against individuals like Olesya Mendeleeva send a clear message to both the Russian government and the international community that human rights abuses will not go unchallenged.
For more information on today’s actions, the U.S. Department of the Treasury has issued a separate press release, outlining the full scope of the sanctions.
A Call for Justice
The U.S. is continuing its advocacy for Gorinov’s release and the release of all political prisoners unjustly detained by the Russian government. Human rights organizations and international bodies have condemned Gorinov’s detention as a clear violation of international law and basic human rights principles.
As part of its ongoing commitment to human rights and democracy, the U.S. will continue to hold those responsible for such abuses to account, sending a strong message of support to all those who fight for the protection of freedoms in Russia and around the world.