‘Everyone who took part in these politically ordered arrests will carry this stain for the rest of their lives.’
Final Statements
‘The inability to peacefully influence the actions of the authorities, and the criminal prosecution of those who disagree, leads to some leaving the country, while others decide to take action.’
'I know my verdict. I knew it already a year ago when I saw in the rear view mirror the people in black uniforms and black masks running after my car. Such is the price in today’s Russia for refusing to stay silent.'
'Without the freedom of speech, without the ability of citizens to express their opinion, without fear of prosecution, a country is doomed to collapse.'
'One must completely trample on the law and common sense to find calls for extremist activity in songs written a hundred years ago…'
‘My conscience before the Party and the Motherland is clear.’
‘For a Soviet person, the measure of one’s worth is one’s usefulness to society.’
‘...even if my works have not been good enough today, I take pride in the thought that they will serve as fertiliser for the future Soviet Homers...’
‘I decided to fight back. Ukraine is my home.’
‘We are the independent journalists of this country, we have no obligation to please the president.’
'All this year, I feel like a victim of the greatest absurdity I have ever encountered in life and art.'
'Remind yourself and others: two plus two equals four. Black is black. White is white. I am a human, I am strong and bold. We are strong and bold.'
'Your Honour, I have nothing further to add. Everything was said during the closing arguments by my lawyer and me.'
'All the civilian personnel at the military unit where I worked are in Ukraine. Thank God, they all underwent screening: two people were detained, but all of them were later released. When I told the investigator about this, he shook his head and said, 'You know, bro, there are no innocent people. If you're still free, it's not because of your own merit–it's because we haven't done our job well enough.''
'...When I told the refugee camp staff about my past service, I hoped to find at least common sense, at most justice. But now I am afraid. I am afraid, gentlemen. But not before justice. I am afraid that here, in this courtroom, I may find neither.'
'My only wish was to work in a socialist state.'
‘Every statement made against me was refuted in court by the very people who had signed those statements during the preliminary investigation.’
The Final Statement ‘I want to say that, whatever happens next, we all have one important feeling in this case. The greatest and most important one. It illuminates life and…
'There is little hope for the fairness of the trial'.
'We had no involvement in the alleged offence. I have nothing further to add. I am innocent.'
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