Espreso. Global
OPINION

Russian sentence for Gordon

2 July, 2024 Tuesday
16:37

The Western District Military Court of Russia sentenced Ukrainian journalist Dmytro Gordon in absentia to 14 years in prison for calling for war against Russia. The judges granted the prosecution's request for this sentence

client/title.list_title

Dmytro Gordon and I have different views on journalism and politics in Ukraine. However, this harsh sentence is clearly political persecution, pressure, and intimidation of those whose views differ from the Russian rulers' revanchist and chauvinistic ideals.

Calling this Western District Military Court a court, and the sentence a judicial decision, requires a vivid imagination. It's actually a mafia-style attack on someone who criticized Russia's aggressive policies toward his Motherland.

TASS reported that the case against Gordon was due to his calls to kill Russian dictator Putin and Belarusian dictator Lukashenko. Gordon had interviewed Lukashenko before Russia's major attack on Ukraine. However, there are no specifics on where and when these calls were made. The charges against Gordon include public appeals to justify terrorism, start a war of aggression, and spread fake news about the Russian army based on political hatred.

In simple terms, they're accusing Gordon of telling the truth about the Ukrainian people's resistance and the army's fight against Russia's terrorist actions. He's charged for calling out the Russian army's crimes on Ukrainian soil.

There was nothing new in these statements by the Ukrainian journalist. As you know, even the International Criminal Court in The Hague has issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin, former Defense Minister and now Secretary of the Security Council Sergei Shoigu, Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, and other Russian officials and military personnel accused of war crimes.

So, basically, anyone who supports this ICC warrant or reports on its existence can be considered guilty. Dozens and hundreds of journalists worldwide have reported on the crimes of the Russian army in places like Bucha, Izyum, and Borodyanka. What's more, even among Russian citizens, many have spoken about the terrorist, thuggish, misanthropic nature of their state and its leadership under the notorious Putin.

And what can be said in this situation?

Of course, when one person is chosen to pass judgment on him, even in absentia, one can talk about the persecution of all those engaged in honest journalism. It's an attempt to justify their own propaganda, which, as we know, is entirely false and serves to help Putin and his associates maintain their power over Russia, robbing both the country and the territories it occupies.

One could ignore this sentence, which seems to have no consequences. But the truth is, Russia, a member of various international institutions like Interpol, can still pursue people sentenced in its so-called courts using international arrest warrants. It can demand detention in countries that have extradition agreements with it for criminals or those wanted by Russia.

Russia's verdicts aim to make life more dangerous globally for those who speak the truth about its politics, army, leadership, and society. This should prompt further international isolation of Russia. We must question not only Russia but also countries still willing to extradite wanted individuals to Russia.

This issue is crucial for imposing more sanctions on Russia and its allies, and for excluding Russia from international institutions that let it misuse arrest warrants against people it convicts in sham trials.

We need to support those targeted by Russia's fake judiciary and take solace in that Russia's reach is limited to its own or occupied territories.

Therefore, liberating Ukrainian lands and changing the regime that controls Russia’s judiciary is essential. Protecting freedom of speech and the truth about this aggressive war is vital.

Source

About the author. Vitaly Portnikov, journalist, Shevchenko National Prize laureate 

The editors do not always share the opinions expressed by the blog authors.

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2025, Thursday
13 February
13:56
Zelenskyy imposes sanctions against Ukraine’s former President Poroshenko
13:38
Exclusive
"Unprecedented case in nuclear energy history": Expert on Ukraine buying reactors from Bulgaria
13:15
Poland warns Ukraine not to expect NATO invitation to “fall from the sky”
12:54
Trump's ex-advisor: Kremlin drinks vodka straight from bottle after Trump-Putin talk
12:35
Around 7,000 civilians remain in Ukraine’s Pokrovsk as evacuation continues
12:15
Review
Return to pre-war borders is unrealistic: New Pentagon chief's statements at Ramstein and Ukraine's stance. Serhiy Zgurets' column
11:52
Russian forces block water and humanitarian aid deliveries to civilians in frontline areas
11:35
"Putin would say he won": Trump says he'll keep supporting Ukraine
11:16
Russian civilians evacuated to Ukraine after Russia’s deadly strike on shelter
10:54
116 clashes occur at front on Feb. 12: Russia launches over 5,000 strikes on Ukraine
10:33
European countries and Ukraine demand a say in any peace talks
10:15
Exclusive
Russian troops attempt to fully sever Pokrovsk-Kostiantynivka highway
09:56
U.S. envoy Kellogg to visit Ukraine for “tough diplomacy” — U.S. State Department
09:36
Russia loses 1,250 soldiers, 17 tanks, 58 artillery systems in one day of war in Ukraine
2025, Wednesday
12 February
22:00
Russia launches record number of strikes on Donetsk region since war started
21:45
Exclusive
Russian army does not hesitate to drop bombs on its citizens: Ukrainian military on Kursk sector
21:33
Exclusive
How Ukraine shoots down ballistic missiles may remain classified
21:21
F-16 with JASSM-ER, illustrative photo
First F-16 photo during combat mission in Ukraine emerges online — what does it reveal?
21:10
Ukrainian priest in Pennsylvania: Trump himself will decide to stand by Ukraine
21:00
Zelenskyy and Trump hold talks
20:50
Russia blocks IAEA experts' rotation at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant – Ukraine's MFA
20:40
Zelenskyy: Work on Trump’s plan to end Ukraine war likely to start in February
20:26
Ukraine wins 16 medals at 2025 Invictus Games
20:11
Exclusive
Ukraine Russia war live map, February 5-12
Russia is forced to retreat in some areas of Pokrovsk sector
19:51
UK pledges £150 million in military aid to Ukraine
19:36
“I prayed for Trump's protection at rally before assassination attempt” — Jason Sharron, Ukrainian priest in Pennsylvania
19:25
NATO membership for Ukraine is unrealistic, says U.S. Defense Secretary Hagseth
19:10
Exclusive
Russia training surviving North Korean soldiers to reinforce troops in Kursk region
18:49
NATO must ensure negotiation results that Putin can’t overturn in six months or year – Rutte
18:11
600,000 Ukrainian children trapped in occupied territories: over 40,000 still enrolled in Ukrainian schools
18:00
Interview
Ukrainian Catholic Church priest in Pennsylvania on beauty of Ukrainian traditions and why Trump can be helpful for Ukraine
17:50
Supporting Ukraine is top foreign policy priority — Sweden’s top diplomat
17:32
'Putin will lose if he attacks NATO': Rutte on Russian threat in Europe
17:15
Exclusive
"Much hinges on Kellogg's meeting with Zelenskyy's team" regarding Trump's peace plan — Ukrainian MP
16:51
NATO Secretary General Rutte announces new military aid for Ukraine
16:37
White House power struggle: Trump ally Witkoff’s Moscow move sparks clash over Ukraine policy
16:15
China assists Russian drone production with smuggled Western parts — Estonian intel
15:53
Zelenskyy says assassination attempts on him led to deaths in President's Office
15:42
Exclusive
European allies to announce new military aid after Ramstein meeting — Espreso correspondent
15:30
Exclusive
Ukraine Russia war live map, February 5-12
February 5-12 live war map: Ukrainian counterattacks yield results 
More news