The Russian authorities are seeking a prison sentence of nearly three years for a veteran human rights advocate who criticized the war in Ukraine. Oleg Orlov, 70, faces charges of 'repeatedly discrediting' the Russian army and could be sentenced to two years and 11 months in prison. This retrial comes after Orlov was initially fined for posting an article on Facebook denouncing the invasion of Ukraine.
Orlov, co-chairman of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning human rights group Memorial, has maintained that the case against him is politically motivated. In a move highlighting the Russian government's intolerance for criticism of its actions in Ukraine, the prosecution has appealed the initial fine, seeking a harsher punishment.
Following a guilty verdict in October 2023, Orlov was fined 150,000 rubles, a relatively lenient penalty compared to the harsh prison sentences handed down to other critics of the war. Both the defense and prosecution appealed the verdict, leading to a new trial that began recently.
The hearing on Monday attracted over 100 supporters and numerous Western diplomats. Orlov, who brought a copy of Franz Kafka's 'The Trial' to the courtroom, sees the proceedings as absurd. At a previous hearing, he read from the novel and declined to participate in the trial.
This case is part of a broader crackdown on dissent in Russia that has intensified since the country's military intervention in Ukraine in February 2022. The ongoing trial of Oleg Orlov underscores the challenges faced by those who speak out against the government's actions in the region.
