Try Me For Treason

Thousands of people – Ukrainians, Russians and others – are serving lengthy jail sentences for protesting against Russia’s war on Ukraine. Some were jailed for actions, such as firebombing military recruitment centres (when they were closed, injuring nobody). Some were jailed for writing a few words on social media. We will tell the story of some who used their final statement in court not to appeal for mercy, but to call on their fellow citizens to take action against the war.

We will hear a semi-staged reading of translations of the speeches (roughly 45 mins), hold a discussion about the book, and end up with a social, with refreshments.

Admission free. Donations welcome: any proceeds will go to prisoner support organisations.

Please register, so that we have a rough idea of numbers. If you register to watch on line, we will send you a link by email, before the event starts.

Organised by the Ukraine Information Group.

Voices Against Putin’s War: protesters’ defiant speeches in Russian courts includes ten speeches in court, two statements made outside court by those prosecuted for anti-war actions, summaries of 17 other statements, and valuable background information. Published by Resistance Books, with support by the European Network for Solidarity With Ukraine: details here. https://resistancebooks.org/product/voices-against-putins-war/

For more information about anti-war prisoners in Russian jails, see:

https://peopleandnature.wordpress.com/2025/07/28/how-protesters-use-russias-courts-to-denounce-the-war-on-ukraine/

https://en.zona.media/

https://solidarityzone.net/

https://memopzk.org/en/

https://posledneeslovo.com/en/

Photo above: Darya Kozyreva (in the middle in red jacket) and supporters outside court in St Petersburg in April. She is serving 2 years, 8 months in prison for speaking out against the war and laying flowers at a statue of Taras Shevchenko, Ukraine's national poet.