(en) France, Alternative Libertaire AL #252 (n° spécial) -
Russia: Freedom and Koltchenko Sentsov! (fr, it, pt) [machine
translation]
Ukrainian activist Alexandr Koltchenko and the Ukrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov awaiting
trial in Russia. Facing a compliant judicial system of power, and even harder than the
geopolitical and economic difficulties are increasing, mobilization must increase. ---- It
is in Rostov-on-Don in Russia, in this part of the Caucasus near the border of Ukraine
Oleg Sentsov qu'Alexandr Koltchenko and must be judged a priori between 5 and 15 July.
Alexandr Koltchenko is an anarchist, anti-fascist, environmentalist and unionist Ukrainian
student aged 22. He is a student in geography. Before his arrest May 16, 2014, he lived in
Crimea. It is a libertarian activist known for his activism in the region. He fights with
the libertarian and antifascist groups for years the rise of racist and fascist
organizations like Svoboda (Freedom) and Pravy Sektor (right sector), the two main
Ukrainian extreme right movements. Environmentalist, he participated in the great
mobilizations against unnecessary and imposed projects. Syndicalist student, he was
involved in improving study conditions at the university.
Anarchist, he is fighting for a society free of the state, capital and nationalism
embodied both by the Ukrainian power by the Russian government. This is what led him to
participate in the organization of events in the Crimea against the annexation of this
region by Russia and the establishment of a dictatorial political system. The latter
accuses him of action and preparing terrorist attacks against monuments, official
buildings or pro-Putin United Russia such organizations and infrastructure ... on behalf
of the fascist organization Pravy Sektor! Alexandr denies not be caught with his comrades
to symbols of Russian power and have challenged the organizations defending the Russian
dictatorial system, but refutes the accusation of terrorism and having prepared and
completed attacks. He faces a sentence of ten to fifteen years in prison.
Verdict dictated by Putin
Oleg Sentsov is a Ukrainian filmmaker. It is judged in the same case, the same facts. The
Russian authorities accuse him of being the "mastermind" of "terrorist group". He faces a
sentence of twenty years imprisonment to life imprisonment.
Two other indictees, Alex Cirny Gennadi Afanasyev and have chosen to work with the Russian
authorities, and Koltchenko Sentsov loaded and has already been sentenced to seven years
in labor camp. Finally four others are wanted by the Russian authorities in the same case.
For Koltchenko Sentsov and the verdict may be in accordance with Russian law. In such
case, it is dictated to the judges by Putin and his government.
It reflects a hardening reflecting economic and geopolitical context.
In Russia, economic growth is experiencing a slowdown for more than a year. The drop in
oil and gas, which constitutes the main lever and the economic sanctions of Western states
because of the involvement of Russian power in the annexation of the Crimea and the war in
Ukraine, restrict margins profit of the caste of oligarchs and other capitalists,
including Putin and his band are both members and political representatives.
Geopolitical tensions are increasing with the United States and the European Union because
of the war in Ukraine. The recent decision to deploy forty nuclear missiles towards
European neighbors of Russia inflame tensions with Poland and the Baltic states which
multiply the military maneuvers in response and help fuel the fear of a Russian threat in
their territories. The project to give back to Russia the status of a great political and
military power, however, is real and the Russian government uses it as leverage to
consolidate his power.
Thus we can explain the strengthening of the legislative arsenal aimed at stifling the
opposition a little more in Russia as in the Ukrainian territories annexed. The Russian
state is working to tighten the screws a little more planning to tighten the law on
detention conditions. Thus we understand a little better the role to be played by
Koltchenko-Sentsov trial, namely a propaganda message sent to everyone opponents
progressive Russian and Ukrainian: "Submit or we will break you! "
New gulag
In Ukraine and Russia, many opposition groups multiply rallies and proclamations demanding
freedom for Koltchenko and Sentsov. However, they are few and act in very difficult
conditions. One of them, the Anarchist Black Cross of Moscow has called for an
international mobilization in favor of the two co-defendants between June 30 and July 5.
In France, debates and rallies were held on this occasion 1. They aim to support the two
co-accused and beyond all those who fight against the Russian tyranny and more broadly
against the Russian and Ukrainian nationalism. They should also help to draw attention to
the system of the Russian penal colony that has nothing to envy to its predecessor, the gulag.
Laurent Esquerre (AL Paris-Northeast)
http://www.alternativelibertaire.org/?Russie-Liberte-pour-Koltchenko-et
