Russian power continues to stifle all voices that criticize the offensive in Ukraine. Dissident Oleg Orlov has just been sentenced to two and a half years in prison to be served in a penal colony, an isolated detention center where living conditions are very difficult. Oleg Orlov was one of the pillars of the NGO Memorial, co-winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022 after its dissolution by Russian justice. According to the NGO, Oleg Orlov was handcuffed after the court decision which ordered him to be immediately detained.
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When the verdict was announced on Tuesday February 27, Oleg Orlov, wearing a sweater and thin glasses, winked at his wife Tatiana and then said: “ Tania, you promised me! », appearing to ask him not to cry, according to an AFP journalist at the hearing.
Several dozen people gathered in front of the court to support this 70-year-old human rights defender. When he left the room, handcuffed and surrounded by police, he was applauded and accompanied by shouts: “ We love you ! ». “ We have returned to the Soviet regime, where those who are not on the side of power are accused of lies », denounced Ian Ratchinski, another human rights defender. Svetlana Gannushkinaone of the oldest Russian human rights defenders, also co-founder of Memorial, denounced a trial which “ has nothing to do with the law “. “ Being tried for statements calling for peace and criticizing the authorities is absurd. But every tyrant needs enemies “, she said.
Mr. Orlov’s wife, Tatiana, expected a conviction and had made this known to AFP. According to her, her husband was nevertheless in a good mood and had “ slept well », despite the prosecution’s indictment which had required almost three years in prison. Russian justice criticizes him for his denunciations of the invasion of Ukraine in an article published by the French media Mediapart of which he had shared the Russian translation on his Facebook page.
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At the beginning of February, Oleg Orlov was placed on the blacklist of “foreign agents” but explained that he did not want to leave the country: “ I am more efficient here », he said, judging that he was “ important » that critical voices remain despite systematic repression. At the announcement of death of opponent Alexeï Navalny in his Arctic prison on February 16, he did not hesitate to speak of “ murder “, and called on supporters of the Russian opposition to ” do not lose courage and optimistme”.
During a first trial, Oleg Orlov was found guilty in October 2023 of having “discredited” the army and sentenced to a small fine, a verdict considered very lenient. The prosecution finally decided to appeal.
(with agencies)