"We'll see this through": Anton Dolgikh and his lawyer will appeal the court's decision.

      Yesterday, November 19, the court ruled to find lawyer Anton Dolgikh guilty and to release him in the courtroom. The following decisions were also announced: under Article 285 part 1 in conjunction with Article 33 part 5 — a sentence of 1 year and 6 months' imprisonment in a colony-settlement. However, on November 18 it had been exactly 9 months since Anton had been in pre-trial detention (SIZO) (calculated under the "one day for two" rule — 18 months, 1.5 years), so he was released immediately in the courtroom. Under Article 291, note 2 part 1 — a fine of 50,000 rubles, from which Dolgikh was exempted due to the expiration of the statute of limitations.

      On the same day Dolgikh recorded a video address to the subscribers of his Telegram channel, where he stated that "of course, Operation 'Retribution' will take place."

      Anton Dolgikh's lawyer, Violetta Volkova, said that they will file an appeal in the case. We quote her verbatim:

      "Look, everything must be done step by step. We'll start with the appellate complaint. If we are not satisfied with the decision of the appellate instance, then to the cassation instance and up to the Supreme Court, which must consider our arguments.

      I believe that at the present time criminal liability, criminal prosecution was duplicated under a special norm and under a general norm. Criminal prosecution was carried out simultaneously. Precisely because in this case under the general norm it was impossible and not permissible to prosecute at all. And under the special norm, which concerns a bribe of 4,500 rubles over more than six months that is alleged against Dolgikh, we have a situation in which the statute of limitations has expired. At the same time there are every grounds for the criminal case to be terminated precisely under the note to the article. Yes, these are not rehabilitating circumstances and grounds, but nevertheless, the note to the article has slightly different consequences.

      Therefore we will seek termination of the criminal case with respect to the bribery charge on other grounds and the complete termination of criminal prosecution under that provision in the general part, which is related to an official offense. He did not commit an official offense. So there are additional grounds there as well.

      As soon as we get through this part of the criminal procedure related specifically to the criminal case, there will be other complaints related to filing the appropriate petitions, including to the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation. His detention and the imposition of pretrial restraint in the form of being taken into custody were absolutely unlawful. And, essentially, that is what we will prove. That is what we will be working on in the near future. Unfortunately, this will take a very long time: more than a year, perhaps even more than one and a half years. But nevertheless, we will go down this path."

      You can read the full report from Anton Dolgikh's sentencing at the Oktyabrsky District Court here.