Lawyer of Kohver: no justice as such, in Russia

Photo: SCANPIX

Nikolai Polozov, appointed as lawyer for Eston Kohver, told Postimees there is no administration of justice in Russia; and when politics come into play, the actual decisions are taken by the highest powers – or President Vladimir Putin in person.

For Estonia, the news of you and Mark Feigin about to defend Eston Kohver came as glad tidings.

That’s nice!

We have followed you fight for Pussy Riot, in court, against the Russian authorities. 

Indeed, our reputation goes before us...

Do you believe justice can happen on courts of Russia?  

Administration of justice as such is nonexistent in Russia. Independent courts do not exist. It is possible in such simple matters as when a guy has a sack of potatoes stolen, and such like. When it comes to politics, it’s altogether different. The decisions are taken by the very highest powers, and with the issues of utmost importance Vladimir Putin will personally decide. We do not aim to affect or direct the court or the investigation; it is our attempt to apply pressure to the highest powers in Russia – the ones who decide.

That’s no easy job! How will you do that?

Well that’s our job: we file complaints, we are present in court, and we communicate with the persons we defend. We serve as a point of contact with the international community. Let’s take the example of Pussy Riot: they had seven years of imprisonment looming, but thanks to international pressure the girls got sentenced for two and then were let go altogether, via amnesty. As a rule, when it comes to detention it is the highest power in Russia that decides, not a specific court or investigator. These are just a decoration, and we need to understand that. When it comes to Mr Kohver, to our knowledge he was kidnapped on Estonian territory. This is not the first case of kidnapping committed by Russian Federation. Let me remind you of the case of the Ukrainian [lady pilot – edit] Nadiya Savchenko which we are also involved with. This implies a method, and stuff like that must be fought decisively. It is not permissible that a citizen of Estonia, a citizen of the European Union was kidnapped in his own country and then judged in Russian Federation. That’s not right.

That’s madness!

Yep. We know that he was kidnapped on Estonian territory.

Are you convinced in that?

Absolutely convinced, and about to go prove it in Russian court.

Will you meet Mr Kohver any time soon?

Our main task is to meet him as soon as possible. We realise we are up against FSB dealing with the case. Therefore, tomorrow (today – edit) already we will present the needed papers to be able to tackle the case. Without permission by the investigator we will not be allowed to [meet] him.

So the court must confirm you may start acting as defendants of Mr Kohver?

Not even the court, but the investigator. This indeed isn’t lawful, but we have such unlawful practices in Russia. Officially, the Lefortovo prison is not under FSB, but in reality it is. This is the place where the extremely dangerous criminals are held for preliminary investigation. It’s not easy to get in there.

Will you get the permit?

Hope so. Legally there’s no reason for them to decline, but one has to realise law is very selective in Russia.