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Legal protection for foreign nationals and businesses in Russia
Facing a criminal accusation in a foreign country can be one of the most stressful experiences in life. As a Russian criminal defense lawyer, I provide legal protection for foreign citizens involved in criminal proceedings in Russia.
If you are searching for a criminal lawyer for foreigners Russia, my role is to protect your rights, explain the procedure in clear English and develop a defense strategy based on the facts of your case and Russian law.
If you are searching for a criminal lawyer for foreigners Russia, my role is to protect your rights, explain the procedure in clear English and develop a defense strategy based on the facts of your case and Russian law.
Criminal Defense for Foreign Citizens in Russia
Foreign citizens often do not understand the structure of Russian criminal procedure. I help clients navigate each stage:
- Verification of information and pre‑investigation checks – police may conduct preliminary actions before opening a criminal case.
- Opening of a criminal case and investigation – the investigator or inquiry officer collects evidence and questions witnesses and suspects.
- Detention and preventive measures – such as bail, travel restrictions or detention in custody.
- Trial in court – examination of evidence, questioning of witnesses and legal argument.
- Appeal and cassation – review of the case by higher courts if there were legal or procedural violations.
Stages of Criminal Proceedings in Russia
Foreign citizens in Russia may be involved in a wide range of situations, including:
- economic and property‑related accusations (fraud, theft, embezzlement);
- offences connected with traffic incidents;
- conflicts with police or other authorities;
- cases connected to migration or document issues that escalate into criminal matters.
Typical Criminal Cases Involving Foreigners
Regardless of your nationality, you have important rights under Russian law and international standards, including:
- the right to be informed of the charges;
- the right to contact your consulate;
- the right to legal assistance from a defense lawyer;
- the right to interpretation if you do not speak Russian;
- the right to challenge unlawful actions by authorities.
Your Rights as a Foreign Citizen in Russian Criminal Proceedings
My work as an English-speaking criminal defense lawyer includes:
- visiting detained clients in police stations or detention facilities;
- participating in interrogations and other investigative actions;
- preparing complaints, motions and petitions;
- representing clients in court hearings;
- advising families and employers about the legal situation.
How I Assist Foreign Defendants
If you or someone close to you is a foreign citizen involved in a criminal case in Russia, you can contact me for legal assistance. I provide defense in Moscow, Saint Petersburg and other regions.
The information on this page is general and does not replace a personal consultation. To receive advice tailored to your circumstances, please reach out directly.
The information on this page is general and does not replace a personal consultation. To receive advice tailored to your circumstances, please reach out directly.
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If detained in Russia
If detained in Russiab Airport
FAQ – What Should a Foreigner Do If Detained in Russia?
When a foreigner is detained in Russia, the situation is stressful and confusing. Many people start searching online for “what to do if detained in Russia”, “what should a foreigner do if detained in Russia” or “foreigner arrested in Russia help”. This FAQ gives general guidance and explains why it is important to contact an English-speaking criminal defense lawyer in Russia as soon as possible.
Important: This information is general and does not replace personal legal advice. Every case is different. If you or someone close to you has been detained, you should consult a qualified Russian criminal defense lawyer.
Important: This information is general and does not replace personal legal advice. Every case is different. If you or someone close to you has been detained, you should consult a qualified Russian criminal defense lawyer.
If you are a foreigner detained in Russia by the police or other authorities, the first steps are crucial:
- Stay as calm as possible.
- Do not resist physically and do not try to escape. This can lead to additional charges.
- Ask clearly why you are being detained.
- You have the right to know the legal basis for detention and what you are suspected or accused of.
- Ask for an interpreter if you do not understand Russian well.
- If you do not speak Russian, you should request interpretation so that you can understand what is happening and what documents you are asked to sign.
- Ask to contact a lawyer.
- You can ask to contact a criminal defense lawyer in Russia, preferably an English-speaking criminal lawyer in Russia who regularly works with foreign citizens.
- Do not sign documents you do not understand.
- If you are not sure what is written, ask for translation and the possibility to consult a lawyer first.
When you are detained by Russian police, it is normal to want to “explain everything” and prove your innocence immediately. However:
- You may have the right not to incriminate yourself and to consult a lawyer before answering questions.
- Statements made without legal advice can later be used against you.
- If you decide to speak, do it carefully and only after you clearly understand the situation.
Many foreign governments advise their citizens that if they are arrested or detained in Russia, they should ask local authorities to inform their embassy or consulate and request consular access.
In practice, this may include:
In practice, this may include:
- asking the police or prison officials to notify your embassy or consulate;
- asking to call or write to the consular section;
- asking your family to contact the embassy from abroad and inform them about your detention.
- provide general information about local procedures;
- offer a list of local lawyers;
- help with communication with your family or friends;
- monitor your treatment in detention facilities.
If you are a foreigner arrested in Russia, it is very helpful to work with an English-speaking criminal defense lawyer in Russia who regularly represents foreign citizens. Such a lawyer can:
- explain Russian criminal procedure in clear English;
- review the documents in your case and check whether your rights were respected;
- help you understand the possible risks and options;
- communicate with investigators, prosecutors and courts on your behalf;
- coordinate with your family, your employer or your embassy where appropriate.
If your family or friends learn that you were detained in Russia, they can:
- Collect basic information.
- Your full name, date of birth, place of detention (city, police station or detention facility), and any case or file numbers.
- Contact a lawyer in Russia.
- They can contact a Russian criminal defense lawyer or English-speaking lawyer in Moscow and pass on the information they have.
- Inform your embassy or consulate.
- They can contact the consular section of your country and provide details of your detention.Travel.gov+1
- Be careful with public statements.
- In some situations publicity can be helpful, in others it can make things more complicated. A lawyer can advise on whether public attention is appropriate in your case.
Being a foreign citizen does not place you above local law. You are subject to Russian legislation and can be investigated and prosecuted like any other person in the country. However:
- you generally have rights under Russian law (for example, to legal representation and interpretation);
- you may have rights under international agreements relating to consular assistance;
- sometimes the fact that you are a foreigner may influence the practical handling of the case, but it is never a guarantee of any particular outcome.
No honest lawyer can guarantee that you will be released, that charges will be dropped, or that there will be no conviction. Criminal cases in Russia depend on:
- the facts of the case;
- the evidence collected by investigators;
- the applicable provisions of Russian law;
- the decisions made by investigators, prosecutors and courts.
- professional legal analysis;
- preparation of a defense strategy;
- protection of your rights during investigation and trial;
- clear explanations of what is happening and what to expect.
The role of a criminal lawyer for foreigners in Russia is to:
- protect the rights of foreign citizens at every stage of criminal proceedings;
- ensure that procedures are followed correctly;
- communicate with authorities, courts and other participants in the process;
- help you understand your rights and options in English;
- work with your family, employer or consular officers where appropriate.
This FAQ is designed for people searching online for information such as “what to do if detained in Russia”, “foreigner detained in Russia what next” or “arrested by Russian police as a foreigner”. It is not a substitute for individual legal advice.
If you are facing a real criminal case, you should speak directly to a qualified Russian criminal defense lawyer who can review the specific facts of your situation and advise you accordingly.
If you are facing a real criminal case, you should speak directly to a qualified Russian criminal defense lawyer who can review the specific facts of your situation and advise you accordingly.
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Moscow defence attorney. Protection in Russian criminal law and prosecution at any stage.
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We provide a complex of services to protect against criminal and administrative prosecution
Legal aid in Russian criminal law to foreign nationals
Legal aid in criminal law
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Protection in court
Urgent help of a russian criminal lawyer
Appealing a courts decision
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Protection in the pre-trial detention center
Protection during the investigation
Representation in police
Protection of minors
We can arrange a personal meeting with relatives regardless of the location of the defendant (detention center)
We can get permission to meet with the detainee during the investigation and court trial
Criminal case
We specialize in protection of foreign nationals staying in Russia
The lawyer speaks English, without a translator
We will protect your legal rights at any stage of criminal or administrative prosecution, regardless of external circumstances
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The lawyer is independent on government authorities
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The lawyer's experience is more than 19 years of real legal practice
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Possibility to pay only when the result is achieved
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An urgent visit of the lawyer to any part of Russia is possible
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We achieve good results through high engagement
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Detailed remote consultation is possible
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We can provide meetings and communication with the defendant
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The cost of legal services is specified in the agreement and does not change
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Refunds for unused prepaid services are provided in accordance with the terms of the legal services agreement
We provide transparent terms of cooperation and detailed written agreements
The cost is fixed in the legal agreement
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Professionalism is confirmed by our successful legal practice
We do not disclose the number of legal cases we carried and do not publish confidential data on the website. With the permission of the client, we publish anonymized information on cases.
Client released from custody during the «smuggling» investigation
The criminal case on which he faced imprisonment for up to 20 years has been dismissed
Commuted a penalty from 15 to 3 years under the article "murder"
Proved by means of medical examination finding of the defendant in the heat of passion at the time of murder
Closed a criminal case with 3 dead in an accident
The driver who got into an accident with 3 people dead was released from custody in the courthouse
Criminal case in which a drunk driver knocked down a pedestrian and killed him was dismissed
The driver was released from the pre-trial detention center after being convicted of hitting a pedestrian at a pedestrian crossing
Released from custody with acquittal in a criminal case
During work of a pretrial investigation, procedural violations revealed and innocence of the defendant proved.
The defendant was released from custody under the article «robbery of a group of persons»
A criminal case initiated under the article «robbery of a group of persons» was reclassified on a less severe crime and the criminal prosecution was terminated.
Russian Criminal Lawyer - defence attorney
Moscow Criminal Lawyer
In Russia, only a lawyer having the status of an advocate (or defense attorney) can carry out protection in criminal cases in sphere of criminal law.
The criminal lawyer can protect the client both on preliminary investigation and in court. Also if your relative needs the defender on criminal cases in the Pre-trial detention center, then the criminal lawyer can easily visit the suspect, defendant, or the detainee at any pre-trial detention center of Russia, whether it be Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan, Novosibirsk, Sochi or Yekaterinburg. After the conclusion of an agreement with the lawyer on a criminal case, the defender acts under the advocate's warrant.
If you need the Russian criminal lawyer on affairs on drugs, murder, a battery (beating), or other crimes, you can contact me.
The most widespread cases are
- Storage and sale of drugs: these are especially serious crimes on which protection is carried out by the criminal lawyer.
- Other more serious crimes: rape, battery (causing a beating), smuggling of the forbidden substances and drugs, and others.
I am, being a Russian criminal lawyer, can render legal aid if you need protection in Police, court, or the pre-trial detention center on a criminal case in Russia in the cities such as Sochi, Kazan, Moscow, Novosibirsk, St. Petersburg, or Yekaterinburg.
Also, I can protect your interests if you are the injured party or a victim of a crime. For example, if you were deceived (scammed) and in cases concerning fraud or theft of money from you, including through the Internet.
An example of scams or fraud from our practice:
1. Fraud upon purchase of animals: cats, dogs, and other animals. The victims pay considerable money through Western Union or on the cash card to breeder and also pay payments for transferring of the animal. And after that do not receive from the breeder anything, either a cat or a dog, or money.
In this case, I offer:
- to contact police with the claim of fraud concerning the breeder.
- to file a claim to the animal seller;
- to make the statement and to appeal to court with the claim for collecting money from the manufacturer.
2. Another problem that I often encountered: buying goods in an online store, when a client pays for any goods with a card to the seller and then does not receive these goods, and also cannot get through to the seller. In this case, the actions should be the same:
- file a fraudulent claim against the seller of the goods with the police if it becomes obvious that it was deliberate fraud, and not just a delay in sending the goods;
- submit a claim to the seller in the store;
- make a statement and go to court with a claim to recover money from the seller of the goods.
3. Cases when foreign men send to the Russian girls money to needs for the execution of the international passport, payment of the credit allegedly for removal of the ban on departure from Russia, and other expenses. And after that, the girl receives money and ceases to answer the phone.
You can address me by phone or by any messenger.
Russian Criminal Moscow Lawyer (defense attorney) Tarasenko Vasiliy Georgievich.
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A professional lawyer must not only perfectly know the law, but also be a decent person
We develop defense strategies based on case facts and Russian criminal procedure
For over 18 years, we specialize in protection against criminal and administrative prosecution of foreign nationals
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19
28
years of the lawyer's experience
peoples from 19 countries have been protected
Representatives in more than 28 regions of the Russian Federation
350
successful cases
Our diplomas and certificates
Original Diploma in the specialty "Lawyer by specialty jurisprudence"
Original diploma in the specialty "philologist, teacher of English language and literature, translator in the field of professional communication"
Translation of a diploma in the specialty "Lawyer by specialty jurisprudence"
Translation of a diploma in the specialty "philologist, teacher of English language and literature, translator in the field of professional communication"
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Call the phone:
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Russia Federation, Kemerovo Region, Kemerovo, Dzerdginskogo street, 23
Email:
legalsolutions@inbox.ru
Call the phone:
+7(909)961-19-09
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Address:
Russia Federation, Sochi, Gorky Lane, 22 (Sokol Business Center).
Email:
legalsolutions@inbox.ru
Call the phone:
+7(909)961-19-09
Russia Federation, Sochi, Gorky Lane, 22 (Sokol Business Center).
Email:
legalsolutions@inbox.ru
Call the phone:
+7(909)961-19-09
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100% data protection, according to Federal Law #152. Pressing the button, you agree to processing of personal data and agree with privacy policy