The full, unedited text of Aleksandr Skobov’s closing statement before the military court in Saint Petersburg:

“I will not dwell on the fact that the organization of which I have the honor of being a member, the Free Russia Forum, is referred to by investigators as a terrorist initiative, even though no decision by a government agency recognizing the Free Russia Forum as such an initiative yet exists. So far, we are only an undesirable organization. But I am not very interested in such minor deceptions by my armed opponent. I am still trying to speak about important things.

What is important here is the platform of the Free Russia Forum, in whose development I directly participated and which distinguishes the Free Russia Forum from most other opposition groups and organizations. Allow me to remind you that this platform can be reduced to three points.

First: We advocate for the unconditional return of all internationally recognized territories occupied by Russia, including Crimea, to Ukraine. Yes, Crimea is Ukraine.

Second: We support all those who fight to achieve this goal, including citizens of the Russian Federation who have voluntarily joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

And third: We recognize any form of struggle against Putin’s tyranny in Russia, including armed struggle.

Of course, we are deeply disgusted by the methods of ISIS targeting innocent people, as was the case at Crocus City.

But are Kremlin war propagandists a legitimate target? The Free Russia Forum has not specifically discussed this issue or adopted any resolutions on it. Therefore, in this case, I am expressing solely my personal position.

I believe that propagandists, such as television host Vladimir Solovyov, deserve the same as Hitler’s propagandist Julius Streicher, who was hanged based on the verdict of the Nuremberg Tribunal. Until these monsters of the human race end up in the hands of a new Nuremberg Tribunal, the war continues. They are a legitimate target for combat operations.

Peaceful coexistence with the Putin regime is practically impossible

Comparing Putin’s and Hitler’s propagandists is not a purely rhetorical device for me. Most of my journalism and speeches are dedicated to proving the Nazi nature of the Putin regime, with which peaceful coexistence is fundamentally impossible. I have appealed, and continue to appeal, primarily to Europe to remember the origins of the current European system.

Since 1945, Europe has been building a world in which predators would no longer be the masters of life. A world based on the principles of law, justice, freedom, and humanism. Europe has achieved much on this path, and it seemed that it had rid itself of mass murder and territorial redistribution forever. Europe is used to thinking that its safe, prosperous world is reliably protected by a large and powerful ally across the ocean.

Today, her world is being torn to pieces by two villains—the one in the Kremlin and the one in Washington. In the United States of America, people with a pro-fascist value orientation have come to power. We are witnessing a disgusting attempt at a purely imperialist conspiracy between two predators. An even more repulsive conspiracy than the Munich one of 1938. If Putin’s annexations are legalized, it will be a catastrophe for civilization.

Europe, you have been betrayed

Europe, you have been betrayed. Wake up and go fight for your peace! Death to the Russian-fascist occupiers! Death to Putin, the new Hitler, a murderer and a villain! Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes! These are the words I usually end my speech with.

Today, however, I will still be asked whether I plead guilty. So then—it is I who am accusing here; I accuse the ruling Putin clique, reeking of corpses, of preparing, unleashing, and waging an aggressive war, of war crimes in Ukraine, of political terror in Russia, and of the destruction of my nation. And I ask the sycophants of the Putin regime present here, who are small parts and cogs in his repressive machinery: do you admit to being accomplices in Putin’s crimes? Do you repent for your complicity? There, now I am finished.”