A Ukrainian war veteran and civil society leader has disclosed alarming details about his efforts to hold Russian war criminals accountable. His campaign includes an alleged assassination attempt linked to his role in the case against Russian State Duma deputy Magomed Gadzhiev (pictured).
The activist, who leads the NGO Yakisne Suspilstvo (Quality Society), reminded journalists that he was convicted in absentia by a Russian court and sentenced to eight years in prison. He calls this sentence “the Kremlin’s revenge for my work exposing their crimes.”
As the founder of a movement focused on prosecuting Russian war criminals, he has been a prominent figure in the case against Gadzhiev. Gadzhiev is a long-serving deputy of Russia’s State Duma and one of the co-authors of the controversial laws that enabled the illegal annexation of Crimea.
“Gadzhiev’s political record speaks for itself,” the activist stated.
The activist’s courageous pursuit of justice highlights the risks faced by those exposing Russian war crimes and the lengths to which authorities will go to silence them.