RUSSIAN SUPREME COURT CHAIR IRINA PODNOSOVA DIES AT 71 AFTER ILLNESS

Irina Podnosova, the chair of Russia’s Supreme Court, has died at the age of 71 after battling a serious illness, Russian state media reported on July 22.

According to TASS, Podnosova succumbed to cancer in Moscow after more than a year of treatment. Her death comes less than two years after she assumed office as the head of Russia’s top judicial body.

Appointed on April 17, 2024, Podnosova succeeded Vyacheslav Lebedev, who had led the Supreme Court since 1991. She was the sole nominee for the position, backed by President Vladimir Putin.

A graduate of Leningrad State University’s law faculty in 1975 the same year as Putin Podnosova began working at the Supreme Court in 2020. She rose to the role of deputy chair, handling economic and arbitration cases.

Despite a lack of prior experience in arbitration law, Russian media outlet Kommersant noted her strong influence within judicial circles. The publication suggested that her rise was politically supported, quoting unnamed sources who said “everyone understands who is behind her.”

The Russian Supreme Court serves as the nation’s highest court of appeal, with judges nominated by the president and confirmed by the Federation Council. Human rights observers have long criticized the Russian judiciary for lacking independence and being used to suppress dissent.

Podnosova’s death marks another leadership shift within a legal system closely linked to the Kremlin.