In the first half of 2024, Russian courts handed down 649 guilty verdicts in cases of 'extremist' statements and organizations, which is 20% more than in the first half of the previous year, according to statistics from the Supreme Court (SC), analyzed by the 'Sova' center*.
This is a record number of sentences in cases of 'extremism' not related to violence, since the publication of SC statistics began in 2010, said Alexander Verkhovsky, head of the 'Agency'* center. The number of cases in which sentences were handed down in the first half of this year is more than for the entire year of 2019 (432 sentences) and the entire year of 2020 (502).
The total number of sentences for the entire year of 2024, according to the 'Sova' center, is likely to also exceed last year's figure — 1189 sentences.
The majority of those convicted in the first half of the year (429 people) were prosecuted under articles related to public statements. These include 'discrediting' the army, military 'fakes', 'incitement of hatred', 'display of Nazi or extremist symbols', 'public calls and justification of terrorism', 'rehabilitation of Nazism', 'insulting the feelings of believers'.
The remaining sentences were handed down in cases of 'extremist and terrorist communities and organizations' and 'financing extremist activities'.
Verkhovsky noted that a large number of cases involving participation in banned organizations are related to the Legion 'Freedom of Russia'**. Meanwhile, the number of cases against supporters of the Islamic organization 'Hizb ut-Tahrir'** and the religious organization Jehovah's Witnesses*** has decreased during the war.
* Recognized in Russia as 'foreign agents'.
** Recognized in Russia as 'terrorist' organizations.
*** Recognized in Russia as an 'extremist' organization.