Monthly Report of the Deputy Human Rights Ombudsman in the Chuvash Republic
January 2026
Deputy Human Rights Ombudsman in the Chuvash Republic
Rodion Evdokimov
General Provisions In January 2026, the Ombudsman received information about three cases containing signs of violations of constitutional and international human rights standards. The analysis was conducted taking into account the Constitution of the Russian Federation, the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the Convention against Torture.
Violation of the Rights of Minors and the Right to a Fair Trial
(Articles 22, 46–55 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, Article 6 of the ECHR, Article 37 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child)
Case:
A 15-year-old resident of Cheboksary is accused of committing a terrorist act (Part 1 of Article 205 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) for setting fire to two cars on July 25, 2025. The case has been transferred to the Central District Military Court. According to the investigation, the teenager acted under the influence of scammers who posed as a girl and threatened to use the geolocation data he provided for strikes by Ukrainian forces. According to the prosecutor’s office, one of the cars belonged to a law enforcement officer; the Investigative Committee claims that both cars belonged to security forces (a discrepancy between sources has been noted).
Identified signs of violations:
• Prosecution of a minor under a serious “terrorist” article.
• Transfer of the case to a military court, which may violate the principle of specialized justice for juvenile cases.
• Context of a sharp increase in such cases in Russia (210 convictions in the first half of 2025 compared to 75 for the entire year of 2024).
Legal assessment:
International law (UN) does not contain a single universal definition of terrorism/terrorist act; however, UN General Assembly resolutions and declarations emphasize that terrorist acts are crimes aimed at intimidating the population, coercing authorities, violating human rights, and creating a threat to peace and security (see the Declaration on Measures to Eliminate International
Terrorism, UNGA Resolutions, etc.). In regional documents (e.g., the Shanghai Convention), the emphasis is on violent actions with political motivation and intimidation.
The actions committed by the teenager qualify as vandalism rather than a terrorist act, as they lack political motivation or aims of intimidating/coercing the population. There is a need to verify compliance with the priority of the best interests of the child and the right to a fair trial.
Source: https://www.idelreal.org/a/letnego-podrostka-iz-cheboksar-obvinili-v-terakte-iz-za podzhoga-avtomobiley-delo-peredano-v-tsentralnyy-okruzhnoy-voennyy-sud/33650484.html (published January 16, 2026)
Violation of the Right to Freely Receive and Disseminate Information, as well as the Right to Health Protection
(Article 29, 41 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, Article 19 of the ICCPR)
Case:
From late December 2025 and throughout January 2026, large-scale mobile internet restrictions were in effect in Chuvashia. On January 12, Minister of Digital Development of Chuvashia Mikhail Stepanov stated that certain “government” services were working stably (“white lists”), but did not specify timelines for restoring full access. The issues affected continuous glucose monitoring applications for children with diabetes — a direct threat to health. Responsibility was shifted to telecom operators.
Identified signs of violations:
• Lack of transparent grounds, timelines, and a plan for restoring connectivity. • Threat to life and health of vulnerable population groups due to inaccessibility of medical services.
Legal assessment:
The restriction directly contradicts the right to information and health protection. Source: https://t.me/ChuvashiaDream/15069 (publication dated January 12, 2026)
Violation of the Right to Health Protection and Human Dignity, Prohibition of Torture and Cruel Treatment
(Articles 21, 41 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, Article 3 of the ECHR, Convention against Torture)
Case:
In early January 2026, a pregnant patient at the Presidential Perinatal Center in Cheboksary was hospitalized with tachycardia. Without medical indications, she was placed in the ICU “by protocol” and to enable hospital payments. Unnecessary catheters were inserted, leading to injury, bleeding, and pain (not recorded in the medical record). Rough, degrading treatment by staff; denial of the right to refuse hospitalization; psychological pressure. Examinations were normal, no treatment was provided. After discharge — weight loss, panic attacks, psychological trauma.
Identified signs of violations:
• Forced hospitalization and medical intervention without indications.
• Degrading treatment and disregard for complaints about harm to health. • A system in which patients fear asserting their rights due to threats to the child’s life.
Legal assessment:
Signs of medical violence and violation of the prohibition on cruel treatment. Source: https://t.me/ChuvashiaDream/15146 (publication dated January 19, 2026)
Conclusions and Recommendations
In January 2026, systemic risks were confirmed:
• Expansive application of anti-terrorism legislation to children;
• Unjustified restrictions on communications posing a threat to health;
• Gross violations of patients’ rights in a perinatal institution.
The report is based on signals received in January and will be updated as necessary.