Excellent news. Today, the European Court issued rulings on complaints concerning the unlawful arrests of 14 people. In 2011, they took part in a rally against fraud in the State Duma election, were detained, and then sentenced to 10 to 15 days of administrative arrest. I represented ten of those fourteen in court as their defense counsel. ⠀ We won. The court found that Russian officials and judges had violated these citizens’ rights: - to freedom of assembly, - to a fair trial, - to be free from inhuman and degrading treatment, - to liberty and security of person. In addition to the most important thing—the final legal recognition that they were in the right—each of them was awarded €10,000 in compensation. ⠀ I’m very happy for them and congratulate them, and I want to remind everyone: stand up for your rights. Take part in rallies. There is no such thing as an “authorized public event.” That is a lie invented by Putin’s officials and Putin’s courts. Citizens have a constitutionally guaranteed right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. ⠀ If something happens in the country that makes you want to go out into the street—whether in protest or in support—go out.