The European Union has strongly condemned today’s politically motivated sentencing of prominent Russian election expert Grigory Melkonyants , co-chair of the country’s leading independent election monitoring organization Golos . A Moscow court handed down a five-year prison sentence to Melkonyants under Russia’s controversial “undesirable organisations” law — a piece of repressive legislation frequently used by the Kremlin to silence critics and suppress civil society.

In a statement issued today, the European External Action Service (EEAS) described the charges against Melkonyants as “fabricated” and emphasized that his prosecution is directly linked to his long-standing commitment to democratic principles, pluralism, and fundamental freedoms in Russia.

“Grigory Melkonyants has been targeted for his unwavering work in support of free and fair elections,” the EU spokesperson said. “This verdict is another example of how the Russian authorities are weaponizing the legal system to punish those who dare to promote democratic values.”

Melkonyants’ case has drawn international concern following his arrest earlier this year. He was charged under a law that allows the designation of foreign or domestic groups as “undesirable” if they are deemed a threat to Russia’s constitutional order, defense capabilities, or public security. Critics argue the law is deliberately vague and provides authorities with broad powers to target activists, journalists, and opposition figures.

Over the past decade, the EU has repeatedly denounced such repressive legal tools as part of a broader strategy by Russian authorities aimed at stifling dissent, dismantling civil society, and undermining independent institutions. The bloc reiterated its call on Russia to immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners, including Melkonyants, and to abolish laws designed to crush independent voices.

The sentencing comes amid ongoing repression of dissent within Russia, particularly targeting those critical of the government’s policies, including its illegal and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine. The EU reaffirmed its solidarity with Russian citizens who advocate for an open, democratic future for their country, one that respects human rights and international law.

“The EU stands firm with all those in Russia who continue to speak out despite the risks,” the statement continued. “We urge the Russian authorities to respect the rights of their citizens to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly.”

Background: Golos and the Repression of Civil Society

Golos , meaning “Voice” in Russian, has been instrumental in monitoring Russian electoral processes since the early 2000s. It played a crucial role in exposing fraud during parliamentary elections in 2011 and has consistently worked to defend the integrity of the ballot box in the face of state pressure. The organization was previously labeled a “foreign agent” — another stigmatizing designation used by the Russian government to discredit independent groups — before being declared “undesirable” in 2022.

As crackdowns on civil society intensify, many Russian NGOs have been forced to disband or move operations abroad. Human rights defenders, journalists, and activists continue to face imprisonment, exile, harassment, or even physical threats for their work.

The EU will continue to monitor the situation closely and consider additional restrictive measures against those responsible for human rights violations in Russia.

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