First Department
Lawyers for treason, espionage, state secrets and extremism cases, including closed trials. Advice on digital security.
If Telegram doesn't open: website
Message the bot
@deptonebot
Donations, Telegram Stars and money
Draft First minutes: what human rights defenders usually advise
Donations, Telegram Stars and money
Draft. Compiled from human rights groups' guides but not yet reviewed by a lawyer. This is not legal advice — check the linked sources and consult a lawyer.
- Telegram Stars and paid reactions are not anonymous: the channel owner sees the sender and the history stays in your account. People are already being charged with treason and financing terrorism over them.
- There is no minimum amount: a case is possible over a single Star. In September 2026 a Tyumen man got 8 years for Stars sent to the channels of Michael Nacke, Alexander Nevzorov and Alexander Shpak.
- Before donating, human rights groups advise checking the recipient's status (see 'Check yourself'). Donating to an 'extremist', 'undesirable' or 'terrorist' organisation can lead to a criminal case.
- In Telegram settings you can hide yourself from the 'top senders' list. If you donated after an organisation was banned, talk to a lawyer about what to do with the account.
- Banks restrict people on the Rosfinmonitoring list: they may spend no more than 10,000 roubles a month per family member on living costs.
current as of September 25. More: OVD-Info: Telegram Stars (extremist); Mediazona: 8 years for Stars (foreign agent); Wikipedia: the Rosfinmonitoring list
Who helps
2 organisationsOVD-Info
Advice for people who are detained or face administrative or criminal cases over protests and anti-war statements. They can tell you how to behave during questioning.
Since June 2026 it no longer works with lawyers in Russia; it gives advice and refers people onward. For criminal cases and pressure on families, also contact First Department and Prison Lawyer. A call to the 8 800 number from a Russian SIM card stays in the operator's records.
If Telegram doesn't open: legal@ovdinfo.org · 8 800 707-05-28
Message the bot
@ovdinfobot