Ukraine war: Oleg Orlov faces jail time for criticising Putin's war
BBC By Steve Rosenberg
Russia editor, Moscow
As soon as he enters the courtroom, Oleg Orlov makes his feelings about this trial crystal clear.
The veteran Russian human rights defender opens his briefcase and takes out a book. He holds it up to the TV cameras. The title is End of the Regime.
"It's a good title. I recommend reading it," declares Mr Orlov, who is one of Russia's most respected rights activists. "It's all about how totalitarian and fascist regimes come to an end."
Oleg Orlov has been an outspoken critic of the two wars the Kremlin is currently waging: the war in Ukraine and, back home, the war on dissent.
Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, thousands of Russians have been prosecuted under new laws designed to stifle criticism of the country's war effort.
Mr Orlov, who is 70, is on trial for allegedly breaking one of these laws. He faces up to three years in prison for repeatedly "discrediting" the Russian army with his criticism of the war in Ukraine.
