SVT: Daria Egereva and Natalia Leongardt Still in Detention, No Trial Yet

Eight months after their arrest, Indigenous rights defenders Daria Egereva and Natalia Leongardt remain in a Russian pre-trial detention center, with no trial yet held in their case. Swedish public broadcaster SVT has highlighted their situation and the concerns of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

The report, published by SVT Sápmi on August 26, focuses on the continued detention of Egereva and Leongardt, who were arrested during a nationwide operation by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) against Indigenous activists in December 2025.

Eight months after their arrest, the terrorism-related allegations against the two women had still not been examined at trial. Their detention has been repeatedly extended through court hearings. According to the latest information cited by SVT, the trial is expected to begin at the end of September.

“They are not terrorists”

SVT spoke with Aili Keskitalo, a member of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), who has been following the case.

Keskitalo describes Egereva and Leongardt as human rights defenders and rejects the Russian authorities’ characterization of them as terrorists.

“They are not terrorists. They work for Indigenous rights, both nationally and internationally.”

She also points out that the charges under Russia’s terrorism legislation carry a possible prison sentence of up to 20 years.

According to Keskitalo, it has been difficult to obtain information about the situation of Leongardt and Egereva from Russia. She has nevertheless been able to send messages of support to Egereva through others.

International attention as a form of protection

One of the central points made in the SVT report is the importance of continued international attention to the case.

Keskitalo says that international scrutiny may provide a degree of protection for the two women while they remain in detention. The fact that their situation is being followed outside Russia can offer some protection under the circumstances, she says.

The report also notes that despite criticism from the UN Permanent Forum and other UN bodies, there has been no significant change in the situation of Egereva and Leongardt.

The SVT report adds to the growing international attention surrounding the case as Daria Egereva and Natalia Leongardt approach nine months in detention without a trial on the substance of the charges.

Sevr Nuu