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📍 Geneva, July 11, 2025 — The UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Russia, Mariana Katzarova, has condemned the arrest and detention of Maria Bontsler, a 64-year-old human rights lawyer from Kaliningrad, describing the case as politically motivated retaliation for her legal advocacy on behalf of political prisoners.
⚖️ Background and Charges Bontsler was arrested on May 29, 2025, just two days before Russian Advocates’ Day, and charged under Article 275.1 of the Russian Criminal Code for alleged “confidential cooperation with a foreign state aimed at undermining national security” — a charge carrying up to eight years in prison. Her pre-trial hearings have been held behind closed doors, and her legal team is bound by non-disclosure rules related to state secrets.
🧑‍⚖️ Decades of Advocacy For over 30 years, Bontsler chaired the Kaliningrad branch of the Committee of Soldiers’ Mothers, defending conscripts and politically persecuted individuals. She notably represented Igor Baryshnikov, sentenced to 7.5 years for social media posts critical of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
📅 Timing and Political Context Katzarova highlighted the timing of Bontsler’s arrest, which came one week after the EU sanctioned 28 Russian officials, including the judge in Baryshnikov’s case. The Rapporteur suggested this may indicate retaliation for her legal work.
🚨 Health and Detention Conditions Bontsler suffers from severe chronic hypertension and was discharged from hospital the day before her arrest. In detention, she has reportedly been denied medical care, medication, and access to a blood pressure monitor. She has also alleged insufficient food and water, and physical mistreatment during transport.
🗣️ International Response The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) joined the UN in condemning the arrest, calling the charges spurious and warning of a broader campaign to intimidate lawyers handling politically sensitive cases.
Katzarova urged Russian authorities to release Bontsler immediately, drop all charges, and repeal Article 275.1, which she described as vague and overly broad, enabling the criminalisation of legitimate legal work.
For full statements and legal analysis, see the UN Human Rights Office release, Jurist coverage, and ICJ statement.
Excerpts from article on jurist.com by Darina Boykova | U. Ottawa Faculty of Law, CA
