Leonid Nevzlin: I’m sick at heart every day he’s in jail. But I hope and I believe that he’ll be free no matter what!

June 19, 2020

Leonid Nevzlin:

June 19 is a very difficult date. Alexey Pichugin was arrested on that day in 2003. He’s been in prison ever since. 17 long years. 6,209 days. 17 years of human tragedy, sadness, unfairness and cruelty. 17 years of courage, perseverance, heroism and faith. Memorial International Centre has acknowledged Alexey as political prisoner. The European Court of Human Rights ruled that Alexey did not receive a fair trial. The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe has adopted several resolutions calling on Russian authorities to erase the consequences of Alexey Pichugin’s verdicts issued in violation of the right to a fair trial. One such measure could be pardoning this prisoner who unfairly received a life sentence. But no. The Kremlin needs a hostage. And Alexey has been denied pardon for the third time. The Russian authorities keep mocking international law, Russian law and human morality. It’s almost impossible to imagine a totally innocent person spending endless hours, weeks, years in jail. Some betray even when free. But Alexey remains a Man while in jail. I’m sick at heart every day he’s in jail. But I hope and I believe that he’ll be free no matter what! We will continue to fight to bring that moment about as soon as possible.

Source: Facebook