Lawyer Dmitry Zakhvatov was sentenced in absentia to 21 years in a maximum-security penal colony
Lawyer Dmitry Zakhvatov was sentenced in absentia to 21 years in a maximum-security penal colony
The sentence was handed down by the 2nd Western District Military Court, the human rights project First Department reported.
The court found Zakhvatov guilty of aiding terrorist activity, making public calls for terrorism, and carrying out activities aimed against state security.
According to investigators, Zakhvatov organized fundraising in support of the Azov Regiment, the Kastus Kalinouski Regiment, and the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ 92nd Separate Assault Brigade.
In addition, the lawyer was charged over the publication of a video address in December 2023 in which he called helping the Ukrainian Armed Forces “the duty of every normal person.”
Among others, Dmitry Zakhvatov represented Pussy Riot and former Channel One employee Marina Ovsyannikova.
@meduzalive
A Sentence for Words Without a Defendant
A lawyer got 21 years in absentia over fundraising and a video address.
The state fears words more than proof again.