Help for activists, volunteers, political prisoners and their families: free sessions with a psychologist or psychiatrist, a peer-support bot and a legal team.
The only official bot is @nora_psyhelp_bot. It never asks for money or SMS codes.
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. The 8 800 hotline is switched off; only the bot works. Since 4 June 2026 it is on the Rosfinmonitoring list as 'extremist': do not repost its materials.
The only official bot is @ovdinfobot. It never asks for money or SMS codes.
abroadforeign agentextremiston Rosfinmonitoring listcontact matched to the organisation's site 26 September 2026
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This organisation is designated 'extremist' in Russia. It says that a consultation is not participation in its work, but messages on a phone that may be seized and reposts of its materials are dangerous. Write from a device you would not hand over if detained.
Ask on what grounds you are being held and in what capacity. Administrative detention usually lasts up to 3 hours; for offences that can carry arrest (19.3, 20.2 pt 6.1, 20.3 CAO) up to 48 hours (art. 27.5 CAO).
Human rights groups usually advise not giving statements: art. 51 of the Constitution lets you refuse to testify against yourself. Access to your own lawyer is requested in writing.
Read every record in full, strike through blank fields, write any disagreement in the 'explanations' section and ask for copies.
By law a phone may be seized only with a written record, and the law does not expressly require you to give your passcode. In practice detainees are sometimes pressured to unlock their phones, so decide with a lawyer in advance how to handle it. Keep your lawyer's and family's numbers on paper.
Where to turn: Network Freedoms (@nfp_hotline), First Department, Prison Lawyer. OVD-Info advises via its bot but no longer refers people to lawyers inside Russia. OVD-Info is designated 'extremist' in Russia. It says that asking for advice is not taking part in its activities, but contact it from a device you will not have to hand over if detained. Don't call hotlines from your main SIM card: the call stays in the operator's records.
Designations of organisations in this guide: OVD-Info (foreign agent, extremist, on Rosfinmonitoring list). Contacting them carries a risk: do not write from a phone that may be seized, and do not repost their materials.
Questioning is part of a criminal case. You may be summoned on paper, by phone or otherwise (art. 188 CPC); check through a lawyer what it is. Ignoring a proper summons can mean being brought in by force.
By law a 'chat' or 'interview' without a criminal case is voluntary. In practice a refusal sometimes leads to a report for disobeying the police, so agree with a lawyer how to decline. The conversation may be recorded and used.
The law requires a witness to testify, but art. 51 of the Constitution lets you refuse to testify against yourself or close relatives. Human rights groups advise going with a lawyer.
People are usually advised to leave their phone at home, tell someone close where they are going, and note the officer's full name and rank.
Special cases (recruitment attempts, being called in over a visa, scammers posing as the FSB) are covered in First Department guides.
Since June 2026 OVD-Info no longer arranges lawyers in Russia, so many people defend themselves. Under the Code of Administrative Offences your defender need not be an advocate; it can be someone you trust.
Before the hearing, human rights groups advise reading the case file and checking the record against your copy: a missing signature or wrong time or place is grounds to ask for evidence to be excluded (art. 26.2 CAO).
Submit motions and explanations in writing. By law you may make an audio recording of the hearing without permission (art. 24.3 CAO). If the judge still forbids it, ask for this to be put in the record. Don't argue, or you may be removed from the courtroom.
An appeal must be filed within 10 days of receiving the ruling. A fine is due within 60 days of the ruling taking effect; not paying means a double fine or arrest (art. 20.25 CAO).
OVD-Info has document templates. OVD-Info is designated 'extremist' in Russia. It says that asking for advice is not taking part in its activities, but contact it from a device you will not have to hand over if detained. RosShtraf helps pay fines in anti-war cases. Net Freedoms, First Department and Nora give advice.
Designations of organisations in this guide: OVD-Info (foreign agent, extremist, on Rosfinmonitoring list). Contacting them carries a risk: do not write from a phone that may be seized, and do not repost their materials.