Russian Politician Aleksej Gorinov Sentenced to Three More Years for Anti-War Speech

A Russian military court has sentenced politician Aleksej Gorinov to three years in prison for “justifying terrorism.” This sentence follows a previous nearly seven-year term he received in 2022 for spreading “fake news.”

During his three-day trial, Gorinov held up a piece of paper in the courtroom that read, “Stop the killings. Let’s end the war.”

Gorinov, 63, was the first person to receive a lengthy prison term for expressing his views. As a council member in Moscow, he criticized Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He condemned a plan to hold a drawing contest for children while children in Ukraine were dying, and requested a moment of silence during a council meeting.

As a result, he was sentenced to six years and seven months. Many others have faced similar fates, imprisoned for “fake news,” criticism of the Russian military, or for “justifying terrorism.”

Human rights groups track between 700 to 1,000 political prisoners, though the actual number may be much higher. Not all the persecuted individuals are widely known, such as Pavel Koeshnir, a pianist who died in custody.

Court sentences are frequent. Last week, lawyer Dmitri Talantov was sentenced to seven years for “fake news,” and Anastasia Zibrova, a young mother, received five years. A pediatrician, Nadezjda Boejanova, was given 5.5 years after a patient’s mother complained to the police.

Four journalists connected to the organization of the late opposition leader Aleksej Navalny face trials behind closed doors. They risk up to six years in prison.

In December, an appeal will be heard for theater director Zjenja Berkovitsj and playwright Svetlana Petritsjoek, previously sentenced to six years for “justifying terrorism” through their acclaimed play about Russian women in ISIS.

Gorinov’s health has suffered in prison. He has part of a lung missing and contracted tuberculosis while inside. After recovering in the prison hospital, he was provoked into making political statements by fellow inmates who had hidden microphones. His comments on issues such as the conflict in Ukraine were used against him in court.

Some witnesses in his trial gave identical testimonies, which seemed unlikely. An expert witness who found no evidence of Gorinov’s guilt was ignored by the prosecutor and judge.

Gorinov stated, “So far, those who started the war and continue to kill are not held accountable. But we, ordinary citizens of Russia who voice our opposition to the war, are punished.”

His new sentence includes stricter conditions. He has been classified as a “flight risk,” meaning he is woken every two hours throughout the night. Supporters who visited him noted his significant weight loss.

Gorinov remarked, “This is a trial I must endure.” He could be released in five years but may face more legal issues.