Grigorij Melkonjanc

Grigorij Melkonjanc is a prominent Russian political activist and co-chairman of Golos, Russia's leading election monitoring organization. He has been vocal in exposing electoral violations in Russia since Golos was established in 2000. In August 2023, he was arrested and subsequently sentenced to five years in prison on charges that many view as politically motivated, part of a broader crackdown on dissent by the Kremlin following the invasion of Ukraine. Melkonjanc remains a symbol of resistance against government repression, advocating for electoral integrity and human rights.