Mytishchi: Alexander Bakhtin, a 51-year-old musician and environmental activist who was detained alongside thousands of other Russians for opposing the Ukrainian offensive, was tracked down by authorities after about a year.
The trials of common Russians typically take place out of the public eye, unlike the audiences of prominent critics. One friend and his mother were in Bakhtin's audience. As a witness in the case against her own son, she was called to testify in court.
Alexander would never harm a fly. With tears in her eyes, Lyudmyla Bakhtina told AFP that the man "protects animals and is an environmentalist." The 79-year-old woman barely managed to touch her son's arm as he was led into the courtroom while being restrained.
The elderly witness testified before the court while donning a purple dress and cardigan, saying, "I signed my testimony without reading it." Bakhtina observed that in comparison to her interview with the investigator, the written statement seemed protracted.
The prosecutor questioned her, "Do you believe that the Russian army is committing a genocide against the Ukrainian population?"
She retorted, "I don't!" How is your son doing?And what does he think of the president?"My son is a pacifist and opposes war. So am I. You may also detain me. Bakhtin's mother would then be questioned by the judge.
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Did they mention that you had the option to decline to testify against me when they questioned you on March 6? With a raspy voice, Bakhtin enquired. She cried out, "No!"
As is customary, the audience was postponed until June 20. Bakhtin will stay in custody despite his mother's claims that he has bronchitis and heart problems.
According to a count by the independent rights organisation OVD-Info, more than 20,000 people have been imprisoned in Russia for opposing the conflict in Ukraine. Thousands of people have been accused of discrediting the army and publishing "fake information" on the offensive.
A few hours prior to Bakhtin's audience, 75-year-old Anatoly Roshchin was also on trial in another Moscow suburb. The retired aeronautical engineer was accused of defaming the army in some online publications by Lobnya City Court.
He might receive a five-year prison term as a punishment. His attorney, Evgenia Grigorieva, told AFP that "such cases are increasing in frequency."
Roshchin staged a lone picket demonstration in front of the Lobnya city hall at the start of the conflict. My country, you are insane," he wrote on his sign. Most people who passed him pretended not to notice.
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"A war wouldn't exist if Russians weren't afraid to protest in the streets. We are in charge of it, he said. Despite the ongoing trial, Roshchin decided to continue posting on social media because he felt "guilty" about Ukraine.
"An opponent who whispers 'Glory to Ukraine' in his wife's ear is not really an opponent," he said, according to AFP. That not all Russians are cowards is something I want Ukrainians to know.