In Kirov, a city in central Russia, lawyer Anton Dolgikh has been detained. He is known for his criticism of the authorities and law enforcement agencies.

In Kirov, a city in central Russia, lawyer and blogger Anton Dolgikh was detained on the evening of 9 October. His current whereabouts and the reasons for his detention are still unknown. This was reported by “Defence’s Word,” citing lawyer Violetta Volkova.

In a video published by Volkova, Dolgikh can be seen being forced to the ground, then put in a vehicle and taken away. According to Volkova, those detaining him had no visible identification and did not identify themselves. His family and lawyer have not been told where Dolgikh was taken.

“What did Anton Dolgikh do that justified detaining him like this on a Friday evening? Will the duty lawyer get in touch with me? A rhetorical question. By law, they should. In reality, we’ll see,” wrote Volkova.

• Dolgikh is a Kirov-based lawyer and blogger known for his videos from courts, police stations and the prosecutor’s office, as well as his clashes with officials and security forces. Dolgikh has criticised the local authorities and judicial system. His YouTube channel has about 1.5 million subscribers, and some videos have tens of millions of views.
• The lawyer has been active in politics for a long time. He headed the Kirov branch of the opposition People’s Freedom Party (PARNAS), was a member of the opposition’s Coordination Council and participated in regional elections. Dolgikh also tried to run for governor of Kirov region, but was not allowed on the ballot.
• In February 2025, Dolgikh was arrested on bribery charges. According to investigators, Dolgikh gave 4,500 roubles (about US$50) to a department manager so that staff would leave letters addressed to him at a prearranged spot after working hours. Dolgikh himself said the money was intended as material support for postal workers. Even before the case was opened, Dolgikh submitted a confession of his own accord, explaining that he feared he might be framed because of his conflicts with local authorities. In February, he was charged with petty bribery (part 1, article 291.2 of the Criminal Code). Ultimately, the court sentenced Dolgikh to one and a half years in a penal settlement. Nine months he spent in pre-trial detention were counted at a rate of one day for two, so Dolgikh was released in the courtroom.