In Kirov, a city in central Russia, lawyer Anton Dolgikh has been detained. He is known for his criticism of the authorities and law enforcement.

In Kirov, a city in central Russia, lawyer and blogger Anton Dolgikh was detained in the evening of 9 October. His whereabouts and the reasons for his detention are currently unknown. This was reported by “Slovo Zashchite” (“A Word in Defence”) citing lawyer Violetta Volkova.

In a video published by Volkova, it is visible that the lawyer was forced to the ground, then placed in a car and driven away. According to Volkova, those detaining him wore no visible insignia and did not identify themselves. Neither his family nor his lawyer has been notified where Dolgikh was taken.

“What exactly did Anton Dolgikh do to justify detaining him like this on a Friday evening? Will the duty lawyer contact me? This is a rhetorical question. By law they should, but as for what actually happens, we’ll see,” Volkova wrote.

• Dolgikh is a lawyer and blogger from Kirov. He is known for filming inside courts, police stations, and prosecutor’s offices, as well as for clashes with officials and law enforcement. Dolgikh has criticised the local authorities and the judicial system. His YouTube channel has around 1.5 million subscribers and some videos have tens of millions of views.
• The lawyer has long been involved in politics. He headed the Kirov branch of the opposition People’s Freedom Party (PARNAS), was part of the Opposition Coordination Council, and stood in regional elections. Dolgikh also tried to run for governor of Kirov Region, but was barred from the race.
• In February 2025, Dolgikh was arrested in connection with a bribery case. According to the investigation, the lawyer gave 4,500 rubles (about US$50) to a branch manager so that staff would leave mail addressed to him in a designated spot after work hours. Dolgikh himself described this money as material support for the post office staff. Even before the case was launched, Dolgikh made a voluntary statement to the authorities, saying he feared he would be falsely accused because of conflicts with local officials. In February, he was charged with petty bribery (Article 291.2 Part 1 of the Criminal Code). As a result, the court sentenced him to one and a half years in a penal settlement. Nine months spent in pre-trial detention (SIZO) were counted as double, so Dolgikh was released in the courtroom.

18:27 Anton Dolgikh has been charged with using violence against a public official (Article 318 Part 1 of the Criminal Code), reports “7×7,” quoting his lawyer Violetta Volkova.

As Volkova explained, Dolgikh is accused of allegedly hitting a Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN) officer in the street on the evening of 17 September, causing the officer “pain and, apparently, offence.” The lawyer calls the accusation false. Investigators are seeking Dolgikh’s remand in custody, and a pre-trial detention decision is expected in the coming days.

12 October, 11:31 The court has sent Anton Dolgikh to pre-trial detention (SIZO) until 7 December, writes “7×7.” After being detained, the lawyer requested an ambulance, but the doctor who arrived refused to diagnose his bruising. Dolgikh insisted on being taken to the trauma centre, where he was then diagnosed with bruises and abrasions.

This news has been updated to reflect new information about the criminal case against Dolgikh.