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Human rights activist Alexey Sokolov has been held in the punishment cell of Yekaterinburg SIZO-1 since 30 December 2025, reports “Pervy Otdel” (First Department).

At first, he was sent to the punishment cell twice, each time for seven days. The first time was because a blade was found in his bag. Sokolov told his lawyer that it had been planted. The second time was for a “uniform violation” due to an unbuttoned bottom button. The human rights activist said he was given a uniform with a damaged buttonhole, so the button kept coming undone.

He was later given another 14 days. This time the punishment was reportedly for talking through the cell door with a duty prisoner about how to chip ice off a window that would not close. Sokolov remains in the punishment cell to this day.

During this period, the human rights defender has been held in two different punishment cells. In one, the window would not close, and water and condensation would collect on the walls, forming icicles. Plaster falls from the ceiling and walls, including onto the sleeping area. The cell is very cold and damp. The heaters are cemented into the floor and clothes do not dry. Under these conditions, Sokolov has developed a cough.

Since 23 January, Sokolov has been in another punishment cell. The conditions are similar—the window does not close, although it is about minus 30 degrees Celsius outside, humidity is high, and icicles form.

  • Sokolov is a co-founder of “Human Rights Defenders of the Urals,” which helped prisoners challenge unlawful actions of FSIN officers.
  • On 16 December 2025, he was detained on charges of state treason (Article 275 of the Criminal Code), and the next day was taken into custody. In court, Sokolov told journalists that he was accused of spreading information about torture and human rights violations in FSIN institutions.
  • Previously, another criminal case was opened against the human rights activist for repeated display of banned symbols (Part 1, Article 282.4 of the Criminal Code). Security forces accused him of displaying the Facebook logo.