Russian Court to Hear Terrorism Charges Against Two Women Tied to Banned Indigenous Group

Daria Egereva and Natalia Leongardt will appear in a Moscow court on Thursday after six months in detention on terrorism charges. The two women were arrested on December 17, shortly after Egereva returned from the COP30 climate conference. Egereva is Indigenous Selkup from Russia and serves as co-chair of the International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change.

N. headquarters in Geneva and has worked on educational programs for Indigenous peoples in Russia. Prosecutors accuse both women of participating in a terrorist group based on their past involvement in the Aborigen Forum, an informal network of Indigenous advocates that Russian authorities shut down two years ago.

N. officials sent a letter in April urging Russia to release the women immediately and unconditionally, drop all charges, and allow them to continue their human rights work without reprisals.

Special rapporteurs for the environment, Indigenous peoples, and human rights in the context of climate change. The letter stated: “We urge your Excellency’s Government to immediately and unconditionally release Ms. Egereva and Ms.

N. made the letter public last week. Russian officials have not responded. N. Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York City in April.

Egereva spoke at COP on November 21 about expanding Indigenous women’s participation in climate talks. “Women are one of the most vulnerable groups within Indigenous peoples, so we are working to ensure that Indigenous women are included in all climate negotiations affecting their rights, and their interests, and their priorities,” she said.

If convicted, Egereva and Leongardt could face sentences of up to 20 years.