Ivan Pavlov

Ivan Pavlov is a prominent Russian human rights lawyer and advocate for freedom of information and government transparency. Here are some key details about him:

Professional Background

Ivan Pavlov specializes in cases related to national security, freedom of information, and defending individuals accused of disclosing state secrets, treason, or espionage.12 He is considered one of Russia's most well-known legal experts in these areas.

Organizations Founded

In 2004, Pavlov founded the Freedom of Information Foundation (also known as the Institute for Information Freedom Development).2 This organization worked to promote access to government information and defend citizens' rights to information in Russia. However, it was designated as a "foreign agent" NGO by Russian authorities in 2014 and subsequently suspended its activities.2

After the closure of the Freedom of Information Foundation, Pavlov established Team 29 in 2015.2 This was a collaboration of lawyers and journalists that continued to work on information freedom and human rights issues in Russia.

Notable Work

• Pavlov has defended high-profile clients including the Anti-Corruption Foundation of Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny.1
• He represented journalist Ivan Safronov, who was accused of treason.1
• Pavlov has worked on cases involving academics, journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens wrongly charged with treason, espionage, or extremism.1
• He has contributed to the development of Russian legislation on freedom of information.3

Recent Developments

In April 2021, Pavlov became the subject of a criminal investigation, accused of disclosing data from a preliminary investigation related to one of his clients.1 This case has been viewed by international legal and human rights organizations as politically motivated.1

As of 2022, Pavlov's law office is located in Tbilisi, Georgia, having previously been based in Russia.2