Oleg Orlov, leader of the human rights organization Memorial, has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison. Orlov asked the judge directly: “Don't you have the same fears? Aren't you afraid to see what our country is becoming?” If cruelty and lies prevail over humanity and justice, it does not matter who wins, writes Orlov.

“It's just a passing phase. It is just a stage we must go through. It will be discarded sooner or later,” he says.