On February 13, 2026, Viru County Court, presided over by Judge Kristel Jaakus, rejected the parole petition of human rights activist Sergei Seredenko. He will remain in custody until at least September 3, 2026.
Case Facts:
Seredenko was arrested in March 2021 and sentenced to five years and six months in prison by Harju County Court in September 2022. The sentence was based on his publications on legal issues for Russian publications and his participation in international human rights forums, which the Estonian authorities classified as activities harmful to the state.
Position of the Parties:
The prison administration supported the petition for early release, noting that Seredenko had not violated the prison rules and had complied with the established regulations. However, the prosecutor's office opposed his release.
The court's reasoning:
In denying parole, the court stated that, despite a positive character reference, the prisoner had not admitted guilt. This, the court concluded, demonstrates his propensity to repeat offenses.
Seredenko's comment:
The human rights activist commented on the decision: "The court denied me parole. They said that, despite discussions about my upbringing, I continue to consider myself a human rights defender and do not admit guilt before Estonia."
This decision sets a troubling precedent, where a refusal to admit guilt to politically motivated charges is used as grounds for continued isolation, even with a positive character reference from the prison administration. Human rights activists note that such a practice undermines the principle of fair justice and punishment aimed at correction, not the suppression of dissent.
Case Facts:
Seredenko was arrested in March 2021 and sentenced to five years and six months in prison by Harju County Court in September 2022. The sentence was based on his publications on legal issues for Russian publications and his participation in international human rights forums, which the Estonian authorities classified as activities harmful to the state.
Position of the Parties:
The prison administration supported the petition for early release, noting that Seredenko had not violated the prison rules and had complied with the established regulations. However, the prosecutor's office opposed his release.
The court's reasoning:
In denying parole, the court stated that, despite a positive character reference, the prisoner had not admitted guilt. This, the court concluded, demonstrates his propensity to repeat offenses.
Seredenko's comment:
The human rights activist commented on the decision: "The court denied me parole. They said that, despite discussions about my upbringing, I continue to consider myself a human rights defender and do not admit guilt before Estonia."
This decision sets a troubling precedent, where a refusal to admit guilt to politically motivated charges is used as grounds for continued isolation, even with a positive character reference from the prison administration. Human rights activists note that such a practice undermines the principle of fair justice and punishment aimed at correction, not the suppression of dissent.