My "prison bag" was good, comfortable, and already tested in Kirov, while Oleg's was stupid and slapdash, with a half-torn handle. That probably reflected the expectations and risks surrounding the verdict in the remarkable "Yves Rocher case". The sentencing was urgently and completely illegally moved — for the first time in the history of Russia's "domestic justice system" — from the court-appointed date of January 15 to December 30, so it was clear that "something was going to happen."
"Judge" Korobchenko read out the nasty decision, written by Putin, to carry out a public and blatant hostage-taking and punish a completely innocent family member "in retaliation against this one... so he wouldn't think we'd be too embarrassed to do it"
Ten minutes later, after the press had been thrown out of the courtroom, we brought the bag situation into line with reality and moved all the bundles, little sacks, plastic bags, flip-flops, sweatpants, and everything else from the popular online checklist "what to take with you to pretrial detention" into my bag. Oleg left with it for 3.5 years.
Today marks exactly one year since he was imprisoned; 2.5 years remain.
On the metal board in my office, held up by magnets, is a growing collection I call "the evolution of a convict" — his inmate tags (or whatever they're called), the ones every prisoner has to wear on his prison uniform.
Right now Oleg is being held under "strict conditions": the only contact with him is through lawyers and handwritten letters in envelopes; even official phone calls are forbidden. But he isn't losing heart — he's learning Spanish, drawing comics, and sending me incredibly funny letters.
I call it "working as the guy who keeps everyone encouraged" — a reminder that if he isn't whining or losing heart, then we certainly have no right to do that either. We have to keep working, fear nothing, stand our ground, and fight for truth, fairness, and justice. It's a hard profession, but Oleg handles it — in my case, at least, absolutely.
And while I have the chance, I want to say on his behalf, on my own behalf, and on behalf of our whole family: thank you all so much for your support, for all the kind words, and for the letters you send (IK-5 Penal Colony, 62 Zavodskaya St., Naryshkino settlement, Oryol Region, 303900, to O.A. Navalny, born 1983).
People