Name

Identifying information

Statement of Reasons

Date of listing

‘53.

Dmitry Sergeyevich GORDEEV

(Дмитрий Сергеевич ГОРДЕЕВ)

Position: Judge of the Moscow City Court

DOB: 9.8.1983

Nationality: Russian

Gender: male

Dmitry Gordeev is a judge of the Moscow City Court and formerly of the Tverskoy District Court in the city of Moscow.

Dmitry Gordeev has repeatedly issued politically motivated rulings against opposition figures and human rights defenders. His judicial conduct demonstrates systematic disregard for fundamental standards of impartial justice. He routinely refuses to examine exculpatory evidence, including video recordings contradicting police claims, and consistently accepts unverified or copied police reports from his former colleagues, revealing bias, conflict of interest and a lack of judicial independence. His rulings form a recognisable, politically driven pattern aligned with the interests of the Russian security services. His role has been described as part of a “repressive machine” that has to operate without failures, underscoring his central function in implementing politically motivated prosecutions.

Through his repeated actions, Dmitry Gordeev has repressed civil society, democratic opposition and human rights defenders, undermined judicial independence and the rule of law, and actively facilitated politically motivated prosecutions. His decisions materially support and enable the continued operation of Russia’s repressive State apparatus.

Therefore, Dmitry Gordeev is responsible for serious violations of human rights, the repression of civil society and democratic opposition, and activities that seriously undermine democracy and the rule of law in Russia.

22.12.2025

54.

Lyudmila BALANDINA

(Людмила БАЛАНДИНА)

Position: Prosecutor

DOB: 16.11.1984

Nationality: Russian

Gender: female

Lyudmila Balandina is a prosecutor who has played a key role in several high-profile cases characterised by serious violations of human rights and repression of individuals critical of the Russian authorities or supportive of Ukraine.

Lyudmila Balandina has systematically abused her position as a State prosecutor to pursue politically motivated charges, employ ideological rhetoric aligned with Kremlin propaganda and seek excessive punishments for acts of peaceful expression. Her conduct demonstrates an ongoing and deliberate effort to repress civil society, silence dissent and legitimise State narratives that equate criticism of the Russian Government or support for Ukraine with extremism or terrorism.

By initiating and sustaining such prosecutions, Lyudmila Balandina has been directly involved in serious violations and abuses of human rights, including violations of the freedom of expression, the right to a fair trial and the prohibition of arbitrary prosecution, as protected under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights.

Lyudmila Balandina’s activities seriously undermine democracy and the rule of law in Russia, by turning the judicial system into a tool of political persecution and contributing to the broader pattern of State repression against journalists, cultural figures and opposition voices.

Therefore, Lyudmila Balandina is responsible for serious violations of human rights, the repression of civil society and democratic opposition, and activities that seriously undermine democracy and the rule of law in Russia.

22.12.2025’