An update on the ongoing detention of Daria Egereva and Natalya Leongardt: the two Russian Indigenous rights advocates, arrested in December on terrorism charges, had their pretrial detention extended last month until at least June. Egereva, a Selkup climate activist, was scheduled to attend the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York next week but now faces up to 20 years in prison. The case underscores escalating repression against environmental and human rights defenders.
Egereva and Leongardt were arrested together on December 17 and charged with involvement in a terrorist group connected to their work with the Aborigen Forum, an informal Indigenous network shut down by Russian authorities two years ago—as detailed in prior coverage of Egereva's detention.
A court ruling last month extended their detention until at least June, heightening concerns as Egereva serves as co-chair of the International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change. Leongardt has led educational programs for Indigenous peoples and interned at UN headquarters in Geneva.
Last week, UN special rapporteurs including Mariana Katzarova demanded their release, criticizing the weaponization of counterterrorism laws against human rights defenders.
Laura Henry, a Bowdoin College professor studying Russian politics, called the detentions a 'bellwether for new forms of repression' targeting Indigenous activists first, amid Russia's push for resource extraction in their territories.
Joan Carling, co-founder of Indigenous Peoples Rights International, highlighted Egereva's advocacy for Indigenous land rights and traditional knowledge in climate solutions. Colleagues fear the absence of advocates like Egereva reduces representation for small groups such as the Selkup at global forums.
