Prosecutor Seeks Six-Year Term for Golos Co-Chair Amid Civil Society Crackdown

A Russian prosecutor on Monday sought a six-year prison sentence for Grigory Melkonyants, the co-chair of the independent election watchdog, Golos. Melkonyants, arrested in August 2023, faces charges of running an 'undesirable organisation.' He has pleaded not guilty, with six years being the maximum punishment applicable to his charges.

Golos first drew ire from the Russian authorities by publicizing what it claimed was fraud during the 2011 parliamentary elections, which fueled opposition protests, followed by similar allegations during the 2012 presidential election that ushered President Vladimir Putin into his third term. Prosecutor Ekaterina Frolova also demanded a 10-year ban on Melkonyants from engaging in any public activity.

Human rights organizations argue that Melkonyants's case is indicative of a broader crackdown on civil society in Russia that has escalated since the Ukraine conflict began. OVD-Info, a rights group, highlights that over 1,600 people are presently detained on political charges. While the Kremlin refrains from addressing individual cases, it asserts the necessity of upholding laws to shield Russia from subversive actions.

(With inputs from agencies.)