The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed sanctions on Russian judge Olesya Mendeleeva for her involvement in the arbitrary detention of Alexei Gorinov, a Moscow city councilor and human rights advocate. The sanctions are enacted under Executive Order 13818, which is part of the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act aimed at addressing severe human rights abuses and corruption globally.

Bradley T. Smith, Acting Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, stated, "Russia’s manipulation of its legal system silences dissent and suffocates the truth about Russia’s indefensible war against Ukraine." He added that the United States is urging for Gorinov's immediate release along with others arbitrarily detained by Russia.

Judge Mendeleeva ordered Gorinov's detention after he was sentenced to seven years in prison in July 2022 for opposing Russia's war against Ukraine. During a district council meeting on March 15, 2022, Gorinov suggested observing a moment of silence for victims of the conflict instead of holding a children's drawing contest. His statements during this meeting led to charges against him.

Mendeleeva is known for imposing harsh sentences and convicted Gorinov under accusations of spreading false information about the Russian military. Despite falling ill while awaiting trial, Mendeleeva denied his release for medical treatment and dismissed defense witnesses' testimonies during his trial.

As per OFAC regulations, all property and interests belonging to Mendeleeva within U.S. jurisdiction are blocked. U.S. persons are prohibited from engaging in transactions involving these assets without authorization from OFAC. Violations can result in civil or criminal penalties.

The sanctions reflect broader efforts under E.O. 13818 to combat global human rights abuses and corruption, recognizing their threat to international stability and democratic institutions.