Russian Federation verdict due in Ukraine filmmaker’s ‘terror’ trial

A security officer walks past the portraits of Oleg Sentsov and other political prisoners in front of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday, August 25, 2105.

Sentsov was tried along with a local activist who was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

A court in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don has sentenced to 20 years in prison an acclaimed Ukrainian film director who had been accused of masterminding terrorist attacks in Crimea. As the judge wrapped up the session, the two men began to sing the Ukrainian national anthem. He will serve time in a maximum-security prison.

Sentsov, 39, a native of Crimea, was active in protesting against Russia’s illegal annexation of the peninsula in March 2014 and was arrested by authorities in May 2014 for plotting to fire-bomb Russian organizations and destroy a Lenin statute in Crimea. Critics have dismissed his prosecution as revenge for his pro-Ukrainian position.

“The whole trial was created to send a message”.

Known for the 2011 film “Gamer“, Sentsov has vigorously denied the Russian charges against him, telling the court during closing arguments that, “A court of occupiers by definition can not be just”.

Amnesty global has denounced the trial.

Dozens of prominent filmmakers, including Russian Golden Globe victor Andrei Zvyagintsev, have petitioned the Kremlin to release Sentsov.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko sent a message of support for Sentsov on his Facebook page.

“Hang in there, Oleg”, he wrote. “There will come a time when those who organized this so-called trial will themselves sit on the bench of the accused”.

Ukrainians view the cases of Sentsov and Kolchenko as politically motivated show trials.

“The men have been subjected to an unfair trial on “terrorism” charges relating to their opposition to Russia’s occupation of Crimea”, the rights group said.