Lawyer attacked in Moscow, doused in greenish substance

Lawyer Elena Ponomareva was attacked while waiting for public transportation in Moscow on July 6. Ponomareva was doused with greenish substance and beaten by an unknown assailant.

“As a result of the attack, the lawyer was injured and her retina was damaged,” said the Moscow Region Bar Association, of which Ponomareva is a member.

Advokatskaya Ulitsa reports that Ponomareva had already been attacked several times and was under state protection. In particular, according to the Moscow Region Bar Association, the lawyer’s car was sprayed with paint and Ponomareva herself was sent threats on messaging apps — along with pictures of her loved ones, property, and dog. Ponomareva reached out to law enforcement but the Moscow Region Bar Association says “there were no results, the guilty were not identified.”

The Bar Association council plans to address the leaders of Investigative Committee to demand an investigation into the attacks on Ponomareva.

The Moscow Region Bar Association reported that Ponomareva believes the attack is connected to her work. Baza reports that Ponomareva herself thinks the attack is connected with the case of Judge Kotov, who was arrested for taking a bribe — Ponomareva was invited to serve as a witness.