Halya COYNASH examines an extraordinary case In a step back from the brink, a court in Russia has acquitted renowned historian Yury DMITRIEV of manifestly absurd charges for which the prosecutor had demanded a nine-year maximum security prison sentence. 62-year-old Dmitriev was convicted of a third charge, with the two-and-a-half year restriction of liberty sentence … Continue reading Dmitriev’s acquittal
Verdict*
Reactions to the verdict
"It would have been just, in my view, to acquit [the accused, Yury Dmitriev] of all charges. But I am very happy, at least, that the fabricated and sordid accusation of paedophilia has been rejected," said Natalya Solzhenitsyn. "He is an admirable man and our nation can be proud of people like him." The opinions … Continue reading Reactions to the verdict
Dmitriev acquitted
YURY DMITRIEV has been acquitted of charges relating to the production of child pornography but, as his attorney Victor Anufriev predicted earlier today, the verdict delivered this afternoon by Judge Marina Nosova imposes conditions, for example, that will restrict the historian's freedom of movement for some while yet. The exact terms of these conditions will … Continue reading Dmitriev acquitted
“Dmitriev will remain free, but …”
Natalia Dyomina asks Dmitriev attorney VICTOR ANUFRIEV what he expects the outcome of the trial will be today, Thursday, 5 April 2018. "Victor Mikhailovich, what do you expect today?" "That Dmitriev will remain free, but the form in which this is achieved could be most varied." Victor ANUFRIEV, Dmitriev's defence attorney since December 2016 "What … Continue reading “Dmitriev will remain free, but …”
On the eve of a verdict
Halya Coynash A verdict is due on Thursday, 5 April 2018, in the trial of YURY DMITRIEV, world-renowned Russian historian and head of the Karelia branch of the Memorial Society. Petrozavodsk City Courthouse (photo, Kerstin Kronvall) The prosecution has demanded a 9-year sentence, despite even the expert assessments ordered by the court dismissing the charges. … Continue reading On the eve of a verdict
The Dmitriev Affair 