Sakhalin human rights activist Mark Kuperman was fined half a million rubles.
The First Eastern District Military Court handed down the verdict today. 86-year-old Kuperman was found guilty of "calls for terrorism" (Part 2, Article 205.2 of the Russian Criminal Code).
"They sentenced me to a 500 ruble fine, plus a two-year publication ban," the human rights activist told NeMoskva. "I was found guilty of publicly calling for terrorism! That's nonsense! I'm against any wars except defensive ones, meaning I'm also against so-called 'North-War Wars,' because such wars contradict both the UN Charter and our country's Helsinki commitments to ensure the inviolability of post-war borders as the foundation of peace in Europe. And they undermine the highest of human rights—the right to life. This is my opinion, and Articles 29, 2, and 15 of the Constitution, which is still in effect, give me the right to disseminate it. But I never called anyone to violence! We'll be appealing."
However, he did not fully understand which publications were specifically banned from him; he does not maintain any resources.
At the hearing held the day before, Kuperman refused to participate in the debate because his wife, Galina, had suffered a stroke. She is disabled and has a pacemaker.
"Galina Ivanovna, of course, is taking all this much harder than I am," the human rights activist told NeMoskva.
Mark Kuperman's criminal prosecution lasted over a year. He was initially charged under the "extremism" article, but the charges were later changed to "terrorism." Law enforcement officials wiretapped his apartment, Kuperman said, and obtained a recording of one of his meetings. Human rights activist Lev Ponomarev was speaking via video link. Supporters of the Sakhalin movement "For Human Rights," which he founded, and his friends came to Kuperman's apartment to listen. They discussed the future of Russia and document "A plan for Western participation in regime change in Russia. Humanitarian occupation."
The main witness for the prosecution at the trial was A former colleague of Kuperman's. The human rights activist assumed he cooperated with the investigation because he feared criminal charges: he didn't want to serve in the army.
NeMoscow spoke with Mark Kuperman before the court hearings. Read more about him and his work in material.
Photo: “NeMoskva”
