Russia court extends Gulag historian’s jail sentence by 13 years News
© WikiMedia (Visem)
Russia court extends Gulag historian’s jail sentence by 13 years

The Karelia Supreme Court overturned Gulag historian Yuri Dmitriev’s previous sentence and on Tuesday sentenced him to 13 years in prison. 

Dmitriev is known for finding the memorial at Sandarmokh, which is a mass grave site, his work with International Memorial, and documenting the horrors of the Stalin regime.

In July the Karelia Supreme Court convicted Dmitriev of sexually abusing his adopted daughter and sentenced him to three years and six months in prison. However, since Dmitriev served time in pre-trial detention, he was due to be freed sometime soon. The court then abruptly added 13 years to his sentence.

Many have criticized the decision and claim it is politically motivated. On Monday 250 cultural figures sent a letter to the Karelia Supreme Court and requested that Dmitriev’s case be transferred to another region. The signatories include “rights defenders, academics, politicians, writers, journalists, actors, and film directors.”

The EU condemned the prolonged sentence and stated that “Mr. Dmitriev’s prosecution was triggered by his human rights work and his research on political repression in the Soviet period.” In addition, the EU believes Dmitriev should be released “immediately and unconditionally.”

Artem Cherkasov, one of Dmitriev’s lawyers, said they will appeal the decision.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Pope Urban II sparks First Crusade

Pope Urban II threw his support behind what would become the First Crusade on November 27, 1095 during the Council of Clairmont. The Pope urged the council's participants to render aid to the Byzantine Empire, which was being attacked by the Seljuks. Pope Urban called for a wide coalition of rich and poor to combat the threat, which eventually resulted in the conquest of much of the Muslim-controlled Levant by the Crusaders and the establishment of the Crusader States. Read Pope Urban's address.  

Catholic Code of Canon Law revised

On November 27, 1983, the revised Code of Canon Law of the Roman Catholic Church went into effect. Learn more about the history of Canon Law from Professor Kenneth Pennington of the Catholic University of America's Columbus School of Law.

Alfred Nobel creates Nobel Prize in his will

On November 27, 1895, Alfred Nobel signed his will, creating the Nobel Prize. Learn more about the history of the Nobel Prize and the Nobel Commission.