Ramil Damirov

A lawyer and resident of Orel. He was reportedly detained on July 6, 2023. According to the police report, he used profanity at 2:00 a.m. outside a grocery store. That day, he was fined under the administrative charge of petty hooliganism (Article 20.1 of the Code of Russian Federation on Administrative Offences). The following day, he was sentenced to four days of administrative arrest for disobeying the lawful orders of police officers (Article 19.3 of the Code of Russian Federation on Administrative Offence). Damirov claimed that the second report was filed as he was being escorted from the police station (where he remained since his detention on the previous night) to court; two other officers allegedly approached him at the gate and demanded his documents while his escorts stepped aside, and new officers to accused him of refusing to comply.

Following his release, Damirov was detained again. On July 11, a court in a different district of Orel ordered his arrest for 10 days on another petty hooliganism charge. Damirov claimed that upon his release, he was driven to Privokzalnaya Square where he was immediately detained on made upcharges. On July 20, 2023, Damirov was detained near the Orel Regional Court building while attempting to appeal his prior arrests. On that day, a criminal case was initiated against him about preparing to participate in actions of a terrorist organization; investigators alleged he intended to join the Freedom of Russia Legion. The following day, Damirov was taken in custody. On June 24, 2024, he was sentenced to nine years in a strict regime penal colony.

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