Inna is director for Europe and Central Asia and one of our leading experts on issues related to Russia.
She started working for us in 2005, first on election observation, EEA Grants and later as an adviser on Russia.
“I feel very privileged to work in the Helsinki Committee. It gives me the opportunity to strengthen human rights in my own country – and I get paid to do it”
Inna grew up in Russian Republic of Kalmykia, and experienced as a teenager the collapse of the Soviet Union. She graduated from the University of Kalmykia in linguistic studies and continued with bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Oslo in Norway. Her master’s thesis in Political Science on political elites in Russia; examined sources of political power when institutions fail to work.
As a student in Oslo, she became active in Amnesty and later volunteered with us.
“Through my job I get to meet incredibly brave and professional people who show that a better world is possible”
Inna is also involved in environmental issues – and likes books, especially about historical and political analyzes. She speaks Russian, Norwegian, English and some German.
Related to Inna
Country
Belarus
On the border between eastern authoritarian regimes and western democracies lies Belarus – “The last dictatorship of Europe”.
Country
Russia
No matter your position on politics, truth, sports or culture – Russia plays a significant role.