Law as a Tool to Counter Political Coercion. What Shall Russian Citizens Know About Their Rights in Case of Criminal Prosecution in the EU?

The restrictive measures introduced by the European Union are damaging the Russian economy, putting political cooperation on hold. Businesses receive support from the state and have already started to adapt to the new conditions. Meanwhile, ordinary Russian citizens living in EU countries, who for this very reason may not be able to count on prompt assistance from Russia, are particularly vulnerable. The report “On Violations of the Rights of Russian Citizens and Fellow Citizens in Foreign Countries,” submitted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation in the middle of 2022, indicates the “overwhelming discrimination of Russians,” which “was shocking by its absurdity.” In other words, the rights of Russians are violated by the “collective West” on a large scale. The report provides information on the numerous recorded facts of the violations in most Member States of the European Union. Russian citizens who have been arrested and facing trial are in an especially precarious position. The present article includes information and analytical materials that Russian citizens and fellow citizens can use to better protect their rights in the EU countries. For this reason, we have analysed the relevant provisions of the EU law and the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. We also scrutinized the attainability of the right to interpretation and translation, the right to information about one’s rights and a clear explanation of the charges one is facing, the right to legal advice and legal aid, and the right to communicate with relatives, employers, and consular authorities in criminal proceedings. The European Court of Human Rights caselaw was studied to identify the basic rules governing remuneration and the quality of legal counsel and translation services. Certain recommendations that may help Russian citizens better protect their rights when facing criminal prosecution in the EU Member States are laid down in the conclusion, which is especially relevant given the unprecedented political pressure the West is putting on Russia.

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