This 71-year-old man, a leading figure in the defence of human rights, is the symbol of a repression that has affected almost all opponents.
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He had the choice to stay in Russia for “continue the fight” facing Vladimir Putin. The conviction of dissident Oleg Orlov, a leading human rights defender, to two and a half years in prison was confirmed, unsurprisingly, by the Russian courts on Thursday, July 11. He had been convicted in February for repeated denunciations of the assault launched by Russian troops in Ukraine.
A veteran of Memorial, the NGO co-winner of the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize and dissolved by the Russian courts, this renowned 71-year-old activist is the symbol of a repression that almost all opponents have suffered. Several dozen of his supporters came to court to support this leading figure in the defense of human rights, including his friend Dmitri Muratov, co-winner of the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize.
“The Court of Appeal has decided not to change the verdict of the Golovinski court and not to follow up on the appeal” Oleg Orlov, said Judge Maria Larkina, according to an AFP journalist present at the hearing. Participating by videoconference from his cell in Syzran, about 900 km southeast of Moscow, Oleg Orlov appeared combative and unwavering in his positions. “I regret nothing and repent of nothing,” he repeated, a few minutes before the start of the hearing, before “refuse” to answer the court’s questions, which he described as“iniquitous”.
Oleg Orlov then compared the Russian judicial system to that of Nazi Germany, quoting the words of American lawyer Telford Taylor. “They have distorted, perverted and finally achieved the total destruction of justice and law.”he repeated, words in his eyes “remarkably suited to characterize the current state” of Russian justice. In a brief remote exchange with his wife, Tatiana, who inquired about his state of health, the dissident assured: “I’m fine.” “Thanks for sending packages and writing”he said.