Press Release, 5.06.2026

Photo: Vladimir Sorokin / Photo by Kaliningrad Yabloko

Lawyer and Yabloko member Vladimir Sorokin has been sentenced to one year in prison for a money transfer to an organisation designated as extremist and banned in the Russian Federation (Article 282.3 Part 1 of the Criminal Code). The ruling was handed down by a judge of the Central Court of Kaliningrad.

It should be noted that lawyer Vladimir Sorokin has been a Yabloko member since 2019. A criminal case was opened against him in 2025, after which the court imposed a measure of restraint in the form of a prohibition on certain actions.

The charge of financing an extremist organisation was based on an allegedly proven money transfer of 500 roubles (approximately USD 6.80) made in 2021. Vladimir Sorokin did not admit guilt. At trial, he and his defence insisted that the investigation had presented no evidence of guilt whatsoever.

The ruling of the Central Court of Kaliningrad contains no information confirming the public danger of the act allegedly committed by Sorokin.

Until January of this year, comparable cases had as a rule ended with fines; however, this practice has changed, notes Roman Morozov, a lawyer and member of Kaliningrad Yabloko.

The court ruling will be appealed. Vladimir Sorokin is currently held in a remand prison.