Dariia Yegereva and Eduard Baltykov are political prisoners
The Selkup human rights defender and the Kalmyk activist have been remanded in custody on charges of involvement in a terrorist organisation
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Dariia Yegereva and Eduard Baltykov political prisoners. The two activists are being prosecuted on a charge of participation in the activities of a terrorist organisation for alleged involvement in the Forum of Free Post-Russian States, designated a terrorist organisation in Russia. The criminal prosecutions of Dariia Yegereva and Eduard Baltykov violate their rights to self-determination, freedom of association and a fair trial. We demand the release of Dariia Yegereva and Eduard Baltykov and an end to their criminal prosecution.
Who are Dariia Yegereva and Eduard Baltykov and what are the charges against them?
In December 2025, searches were carried out in various regions of Russia against activists defending the rights and interests of indigenous peoples. On 9 December, Eduard Baltykov was detained and subsequently remanded in custody in Moscow; on 18 December, Dariia Yegereva was also remanded in custody.
Eduard Baltykov is a Kalmyk activist and researcher into Kalmyk history and culture. Dariia Yegereva is an advocate for the Selkup people, one of the indigenous peoples of northern Western Siberia. She is co-chair of the International Forum of Indigenous Peoples on Climate Change and a member of the UN Indigenous Peoples’ Coordination Body.
Both Baltykov and Yegereva have been charged with participating in the activities of a terrorist organisation (Article 205.5, Part 2, of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). No official details have been released specifying the terrorist organisation involved. However, it is presumed that both defendants are accused of collaborating with the Forum of Free Post-Russian States, designated a terrorist organisation in Russia. They face up to 20 years’ imprisonment if convicted.
Why do we consider Dariia Yegereva and Eduard Baltykov political prisoners?
We do not know whether Yegereva and Baltykov had any connection with the Forum of Free Post-Russian States, nor what evidence there may be to prove this. In any case, their prosecution is unlawful. The Forum of Free Post-Russian States was designated a terrorist organisation without any legal grounds. The Forum is not a single organisation, but a peaceful platform for holding conferences involving representatives of various initiatives and parliamentarians from different states. It was created as a forum for discussion and cooperation, not for terrorist activity.
Equating the defence of the rights and interests of indigenous peoples with terrorism is absurd. Attacks on indigenous activists in connection with their public activities mark yet another round in the repression of dissent in Russia.
A detailed description of the cases of Dariia Yegereva and Eduard Baltykov and our position is available on our website.
How can you help?
You can write to Dariia Yegereva and Eduard Baltykov at the following addresses:
RU:
Российская Федерация, 109383, г. Москва, ул. Шоссейная, д. 92, ФКУ СИЗО-6 УФСИН России по г. Москве, Егерева Дарья Анатольевна, 1977 г. р.
EN:
Dariia Anatolyevna Yegereva (born 1977), Remand Prison No. 6, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for the city of Moscow, 92 Shosseynaya Street, Moscow, 109383, Russia.
RU:
Российская Федерация, 125130, г. Москва, ул. Выборгская, д. 20, ФКУ СИЗО-5 ГУФСИН России по г. Москве, Балтыков Эдуард Сергеевич, 1967 г. р.
EN:
Eduard Sergeevich Baltykov (born 1967), Remand Prison No. 5, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for the city of Moscow, 20 Vyborgskaya Street, Moscow, 125130, Russia.
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Please note that letters in languages other than Russian are highly unlikely to reach the intended recipient.
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