Seven years in prison for denouncing the assault on Ukraine
As we explained earlier in the morning, Moscow city councilor Alexei Gorinov was sentenced to seven years in prison on Friday for denouncing the Russian assault on Ukraine. The elected official had, during a session of the city council in mid-March, described the conflict in Ukraine as ” war “and no “special military operation”, as the official terminology dictates. Asking his colleagues for a minute of silence, the MP also mentioned the death of children in Ukraine, which, according to the judge, does not correspond to the information provided by the Russian Ministry of Defense in its daily press briefings.
Investigators also accused Mr. Gorinov of calling Russia “fascist state” but the prosecution’s own experts concluded during the trial that those words were not spoken. On the other hand, the judge insisted on the fact that the opinion of the deputy on the conflict had been forged “through group discussions”which makes it possible to put forward a conspiracy.
“The recovery of the accused is impossible without a penalty of deprivation of liberty”, estimated the magistrate before condemning him to seven years of detention in a penal colony. This trained lawyer, elected independent deputy in 2017, will then be banned from exercising public functions for another four years.
Alexei Gorinov appeared at this last audience, in his glass cage, brandishing a sign: “Do you still need this war? » The police positioned themselves to hide it, and people who had come to support the politician were evacuated from the room. When the verdict was announced, his wife, in tears, asked him not to answer any letters she wrote to him. “so as not to waste too much time”.
On July 7, during its traditional “last words” at court, he notably launched: “War is the fastest instrument of human dehumanization. When the line between good and evil blurs, the result is always death. I will not accept it. » He also challenged the judges: “It is already the fifth month of war. We are promised victory and glory, but then why do many of my fellow citizens feel shame and guilt? Boutcha, Irpine, Gostomel, do these names mean anything to you? »
Since the entry of Russian forces into Ukraine, the authorities have passed a series of laws punishing up to 15 years in prison those who publicly disapprove of this war. Thousands of cases are pending concerning “spreading false information” or of “discredit” armed forces. However, the vast majority of convictions are limited to fines. The verdict against Mr. Gorinov is the harshest to date. This verdict also comes in the context of preparations for municipal elections in Moscow in September. Incumbent MPs and moderate opposition figures, who were previously considered loyal, are removed through various legal procedures.