United Nations Issues Urgent Appeal to Halt Deportation of Vladislav Krasnov
On 9 March 2026, Mariana Katzarova, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation, issued a formal and urgent appeal to United States authorities regarding the imminent deportation of Vladislav Krasnov.
Mr. Krasnov, a Russian national and political activist associated with the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation, is currently detained by the United States Department of Homeland Security in Alexandria, Louisiana.
In her letter, the Special Rapporteur highlights the structural and state-sponsored human rights violations in Russia. She notes that Mr. Krasnov’s public activism and identification as a victim by the European Court of Human Rights make his situation significantly more dangerous.
The UN Special Rapporteur concluded:
"...Mr. Krasnov faces a real, personal, and foreseeable risk of arbitrary detention, torture, politically motivated prosecution, and other grave violations of human rights if returned to the Russian Federation."
Citing the absolute prohibition on returning individuals to a country where they face torture or persecution, the United Nations mandate issued a clear directive:
"I respectfully urge the United States authorities to ensure that Mr. Krasnov is not deported, removed, or otherwise forcibly transferred until a full and fair re-examination of his case has been completed..."
