Russian opposition figure Alexei Gorinov has lost his appeal against an additional three-year prison sentence, further tightening the legal grip on critics of the Kremlin. The court's decision on April 3, 2025, upholds the latest ruling that found him guilty of "justifying terrorism," a charge his supporters claim is politically motivated. This new conviction extends his incarceration, adding to the seven-year sentence he has been serving since 2022.

Gorinov, a former municipal deputy, was first imprisoned after he publicly criticized Russia's military actions in Ukraine. His initial sentence was one of the harshest handed down under Russia’s stringent wartime censorship laws, which criminalize the dissemination of what authorities deem "false information" about the army. His latest conviction, however, stems from private conversations allegedly recorded within prison, where prosecutors argued that he made statements justifying terrorist acts.

The defense contended that Gorinov had been deliberately provoked by fellow inmates or informants planted to extract politically sensitive remarks. His lawyers emphasized that the conversations were taken out of context and lacked any real intent to promote violence. Nevertheless, the court dismissed these arguments, reinforcing what human rights groups see as a continued crackdown on dissent in Russia.

Concerns over Gorinov’s health have grown as his imprisonment drags on. The 63-year-old has preexisting lung conditions, and reports suggest he has been subjected to harsh conditions in prison, including limited access to medical care and basic necessities. Despite these challenges, he has remained defiant, often using wit and irony in his court appearances, refusing to back down from his opposition to government policies.

His case has drawn international condemnation, with rights organizations and Western governments calling for his release and denouncing Russia’s judicial system as a tool for silencing critics. With avenues for appeal now exhausted, Gorinov faces an even longer imprisonment, symbolizing the increasing risks faced by those who dare to speak against the Kremlin.