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Maxim Zotov
Human rights defenders, Sportspersons
1984-05-09
Imprisoned
Biography
Resident of ZATO Zarechny (Penza region), human rights defender, master of sports in kickboxing. Was tried in the case of threat or violent actions in connection with the administration of justice or preliminary investigation and knowingly false denunciation. / In 2018, acted as a defence lawyer for businessman Alexei Shmatko when he was accused of fraud and illegal refund of value added tax. Shmatko left Russia in 2011 and publicly criticises the Russian authorities.
Zotov was taken into custody in January 2023 on charges of confidential cooperation with a foreign organisation and treason. He claims that his case was the result
Resident of ZATO Zarechny (Penza region), human rights defender, master of sports in kickboxing. Was tried in the case of threat or violent actions in connection with the administration of justice or preliminary investigation and knowingly false denunciation. / In 2018, acted as a defence lawyer for businessman Alexei Shmatko when he was accused of fraud and illegal refund of value added tax. Shmatko left Russia in 2011 and publicly criticises the Russian authorities.
Zotov was taken into custody in January 2023 on charges of confidential cooperation with a foreign organisation and treason. He claims that his case was the result of provocation by the FSB. Shmatko believes that the case against Zotov was brought in connection with him: in particular, Zotov was accused of co-operating with British intelligence because the businessman was granted political asylum in the UK.
On 3 October 2024, Zotov was sentenced to 15 years in a strict regime colony.