Sergeev said he was informed of the verdict via the court’s online portal. The verdict likely stem from his continued work with Bellona, which was labeled “undesirable” by Russia’s Ministry of Justice in 2023—a move that effectively criminalized the group’s operations and associations both inside and outside Russia.

Information regarding the particulars of the court’s decision are unclear and are likely to remain so—but it’s fair to surmise that Sergeev has been found guilty of working with an environmental organization that Russia consider “destabilizing” to the foundations of its government.

“I knew the risks when I relocated and continued working for Bellona,’ said Sergeev.  “The Russian regime will not stop its repressive machine—if this case exists, it means our work matters.”

Bellona founder Frederic Hauge described the verdict as “prosecution by red tape,” part of a decades-long pattern of Russian legal harassment against the organization.

“Even now, operating beyond Russia’s borders, the authorities in Moscow continue to perceive us as a threat,” Hauge said. “This case may seem minor, but it’s part of a much larger and more troubling legacy of repression.”

A Longstanding Campaign of Intimidation

Since relocating to Lithuania following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Bellona’s staff has continued its mission: promoting environmental transparency and nuclear safety in the post-Soviet space. The group’s designation as “undesirable” in Russia came shortly thereafter, effectively banning its work and criminalizing contact with its members—even in personal contexts.

Despite the seemingly petty nature of the verdict, the consequences could be severe. If Sergeev refuses to pay the resulting fine—as he and Bellona intend—it could escalate into criminal charges, potentially jeopardizing his residency status abroad.

“Even absurd charges like these can interfere with visa renewals, citizenship applications, or travel,” said Hauge. “Russia is effectively trying to weaponize bureaucracy to silence its critics—even those who have fled.”

A History of Harassment

Bellona is no stranger to Russian state repression. Some 30 years ago, Russia’s security services began a campaign of harassment against Bellona’s office in Russia, which culminated in the prosecution of Bellona’s Alexander Nikitin for treason.  Nikitin was eventually acquitted, marking the first time in Russian history that a defendant won against the FSB. That prosecution was led by Alexander Gutsan, now a top Kremlin official and Putin’s envoy to Northwest Russia—where the current case against Sergeev originated.

“Isn’t it interesting that the charges against Yury originated in the region where our old friend Gutsan now represents Putin’s administration?” Hauge asked. “It might be that he has a bit of a grudge.”

Bellona’s long work within Russia also faced routine harassment, our former offices in Murmansk and St Petersburg being declared “foreign agents,” in 2015 and 2017, respectively.  This designation carries with it onerous reporting procedures and subjects NGOs to heightened scrutiny by authorities who are often anxious to find wrongdoing.

Sergeev Responds: ‘Let Them Accuse Me’

In a personal statement, Sergeev emphasized his resolve and the importance of Bellona’s work:

“Environmental protection in Russia has always been met with surveillance, harassment, and intimidation. That’s the cost of doing something meaningful under authoritarianism. I’ve made my choice—and I have no regrets.”

He added: “We knew it was only a matter of time before someone — one of us who had relocated and kept working — would be targeted under this administrative article.”

Escalating Legal Risks Under Russia’s ‘Undesirable Organizations’ Law

The case against Sergeev stems from Russia’s 2015 law targeting so-called “undesirable organizations”—a vaguely worded statute that criminalizes nearly any form of cooperation or contact with targeted NGOs, including online sharing or personal correspondence.

Under Article 20.33 of Russia’s Code of Administrative Offences, individuals can be fined simply for participating in the activities of these organizations or disseminating their materials—even outside Russian territory. The punishments then escalate to criminal charges under yet another article—Article 284.1 of Russia’s Criminal Code, which imposes significantly harsher penalties, which can include prison sentences of up to six years.

“These laws are deliberately vague, and that’s the point,” said Bellona founder Frederic Hauge. “They allow Russian authorities to target anyone they choose with a shifting definition of illegality. Today, it’s Yury. Tomorrow, it could be any Russian citizen who has ever visited our website or forwarded a link.”

About Bellona

Founded in 1986, Bellona is an international environmental NGO with offices in Europe and a long history of advocating for environmental transparency, sustainable energy, and post-Soviet nuclear safety. Bellona relocated its Russian operations to Lithuania in 2022 in response to Russia’s unlawful full-scale invasion of Ukraine.