Oleg Orlov, co-chair of the human rights group Memorial, went on trial in Moscow Thursday over criticism of Russia’s Ukraine marketing campaign, which may see him jailed for as much as 5 years.
Because the starting of the offensive, the Russian authorities has heightened its repression with an array of laws, together with legal guidelines in opposition to discrediting the military.
“I don’t plead responsible… I am being tried for my opinion” Orlov, carrying a lightweight gray go well with, stated in court docket.
“For my part, launching troops into Ukraine undermines peace and worldwide safety, and goes in opposition to the pursuits of Russians citizen,” Orlov famous.
The defence submitted a number of requests to cancel the judicial continuing, however the court docket rejected all of them. The subsequent listening to is about on July 3.
Earlier than the start of the viewers, Orlov held up his fist in an indication of defiance, and confirmed journalists a e-book titled “The Finish of Regime” by Alexander Baunov, on the autumn of European dictatorships.
He was charged with repeatedly discrediting Russia’s navy over lone pickets in opposition to the Ukraine offensive and over an op-ed in French publication Mediapart titled “They wished fascism, they bought it,” which he posted in Russian on Fb.
A crowd that got here to assist Orlov applauded as he left the court docket room.
Orlov started thanking them, however was interrupted by law enforcement officials shouting, ordering citizen to get out.
He was accompanied by Nobel Peace Prize winner Dmitry Muratov, who was allowed by the court docket to hitch his defence workforce.
– ‘I remorse nothing’ –
In a speech to journalists, Muratov stated that Orlov was being tried “for observing the Russian Structure” which, he argued, ensures freedom of expression.
Since sending troops to Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has sought to silence home critics and civil society organisations.
“Some could inform themselves that it’s higher to be silent. However my whole earlier life and my place obliged me to not be,” Orlov instructed AFP in an interview on the eve of the trial.
He stated his defence would battle the “idiotic costs” however held no illusions on the end result of the trial.
“The decision will likely be responsible, nobody has any doubt about it,” Orlov instructed AFP, questioning how harsh the sentence could be.
“I remorse nothing, I’ll say that to the court docket.”
His organisation established itself as a key pillar in civil society by preserving the reminiscence of victims of communist repression and campaigning in opposition to rights violations in Russia below President Vladimir Putin.
It had been dissolved in 2021 simply months earlier than Putin despatched troops to Ukraine.
In March, costs of “rehabilitation of nazism” have been introduced in opposition to Memorial workers.
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