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In Venezuela, hearings in the deportation case of 42-year-old Leonid Zakamaldin concluded on 29 July; he is being persecuted in Russia for supporting Ukraine. This was reported by Vot Tak.

The court’s decision will be announced within 15 days. Zakamaldin arrived in Venezuela in May 2024 to obtain a local passport. Two months later, in June, he was detained at the airport in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, at Russia’s request. Since then, he has been held in custody.

Leonid Zakamaldin is accused of calling for activities aimed against state security (Art. 280.4 of the Criminal Code) and justifying terrorism (Part 2 of Art. 205.2). The charges were triggered by his anti-war posts. In one of them, according to Vot Tak, Zakamaldin called Crimea part of Ukraine, as well as called for Putin to be “put on trial” and for “freedom for Russia.” A year later, it emerged that a charge of state treason (Art. 275 of the Criminal Code) had been added to his case.

His health has deteriorated in detention and he has developed heart failure. For example, during a recent court trip he suffered a heart attack. “He is in a tiny cell: there are 20 people in 10 square metres, so it’s constantly incredibly loud. He sleeps under a bunk bed, because it’s the only quiet place. Also, sometimes it’s impossible to use the toilet or wash,” said his former partner, Alesya Novokhatnyaya.

Zakamaldin’s lawyer, Numa Rojas, noted that Venezuelan authorities do not have the right to deport foreign nationals for “political or military” reasons. Rojas hopes that his client will be granted political asylum.

9 August On 8 August, a Venezuelan court decided to deport Leonid Zakamaldin to Russia. This was reported by Vot Tak.

The defence has appealed the decision and requested a forensic medical examination as a humanitarian measure to suspend the extradition. During his detention, Zakamaldin developed acute heart failure. The defence will also continue to seek political asylum for the activist in Venezuela.

Zakamaldin himself told journalists via his lawyer that he is not sure he will not be deported before the appeal is heard. According to him, “the court was under unprecedented pressure from Russia and the prosecution.”

“The judges and officials see that this contradicts the Constitution of Venezuela and the conventions it has signed, and they are simply in shock at this decision. When talking to the lawyer, they say they are ashamed of the decision,” Zakamaldin said.

The articles under which Zakamaldin is being prosecuted in Russia have been clarified in the report. Information claiming he was persecuted under the article on incitement to extremism (Art. 280 of the Criminal Code) turned out to be incorrect.

  • Leonid Zakamaldin holds Russian citizenship. However, he is an ethnic Ukrainian and had lived in Kyiv since 2014. Zakamaldin was also involved in animal welfare and rescued several otters.
  • According to Venezuelan law, the country may refuse extradition if a person is being prosecuted for political motives, or if the alleged offence is not criminally punishable in Venezuela.