Today the High Court of Karelia began its third hearing of the appeals made by Defence and Prosecution following the 22 July verdict in the trial of Yury DMITRIEV. [Previous hearings were held on 16 and 22 September.] At this hearing experts appointed by the court will present a new analysis of the photographs in the case.

It is unusual for a court of the second instance to take so long over its deliberations. More often it reaches a decision after a single sitting.

This court, however, is unusual not only in the length of its deliberations: its proceedings have been conducted in such a way that any hope of a fair judgement has been dashed from the start.

Yury DMITRIEV and his defence attorney Victor Anufriev have submitted an official petition for the consideration of the appeals in the case to be moved from Karelia to another region or republic within the Russian Federation. An Open Letter in yesterday’s Novaya gazeta called for the same.

Memorial statement, “Will the Trial be Fair?” 28 September 2020 (Excerpt)