Russia
New trial against human rights activist Orlov begins
Oleg Orlov from the Nobel Peace Prize-winning human rights organization Memorial. photo
© Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP
While the world mourns Alexei Navalny, another well-known war opponent is on trial in Russia. Oleg Orlov from the human rights organization Memorial faces several years in a camp.
Overshadowed by the death of Kremlin opponent Alexei Navalny Russia has begun a new trial against another war opponent: Oleg Orlov from the human rights organization Memorial, which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. “The death of Alexei Navalny is a tragedy (…) for everyone who wants Russia to become a democratic country,” Memorial said. The human rights activists added that it is now important to act according to Navalny’s following famous words: “Don’t give up!”
The day before, a new trial began at the Golovinsky District Court in Moscow against their former memorial director Orlov, who had clearly positioned himself against Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine in an article in 2022. The Russian justice system accuses the 70-year-old, among other things, of “discrediting” the Russian army; He now faces three years in prison for this. Orlov and his supporters, on the other hand, speak of a politically motivated process. Memorial is already banned in Russia.
In addition to Orlov’s lawyer Katerina Tertukhina, dozens of Orlov’s supporters also appeared in court, as a reporter from the German Press Agency reported on site. “I plead not guilty and I don’t understand the charges,” Orlov said firmly in front of the packed courtroom. He then repeated his criticism of Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin’s power apparatus: “In my opinion, the invasion of Russian troops into Ukrainian territory was to the detriment of my fatherland, to the detriment of my interests and the interests of other citizens of Russia.”
A highly publicized process has been underway for months
Orlov also stated that he would not allow any witnesses to defend himself in order not to put them in danger. At the beginning of February, the Russian Ministry of Justice classified Orlov as a “foreign agent” because of his criticism of the war. The Russian leadership repeatedly uses this term to brand opposition members and critics. The classification brings with it numerous disadvantages and raises fears among supporters of being accused of collaborating with “foreign agents”. With this in mind, Orlov explained that he was simply asking to have the last word at the end of the trial.
A highly publicized case has been underway against the well-known human rights activist for several months. In October, only a relatively small fine was initially imposed on him. In December, however, a judge overturned the verdict and ordered the trial to be reopened completely. Orlov’s supporters fear that the activist, who is internationally regarded as a politically persecuted person, will now be sentenced to prison camp. Since the invasion of Ukraine began almost two years ago, Russia’s authorities have taken particularly tough action against critics and dissidents in their own country.