Kononovich brothers courtroom appeal: Our case is completely fabricated from start to finish" – In Defense of Communism

The trial of Mikhail and Aleksander Kononovich began in the Solomensky District Court of Kyiv on July 1st, without the physical presence of the defenders but via teleconference.

Under the pretext of false and groundless accusations, the two brothers, members of the Leninist Communist Youth Union of Ukraine were arrested on March 7th, 2022 and tortured in a Kiev detention center.

Since then, numerous Communist Parties and Youth organizations from all over the world, including the World Federation of Democratic Youth (WFDY) have demanded their immediate release. The EU Parliament Group of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) has already submitted two written questions (first and second) to the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs concerning the case of Kononovich brothers.

In their first speech to the courtroom, Mikhail and Aleksander talked about the fabricated nature of the accusations, expressed appreciation for the international solidarity and called EU Parliament's deputies and the media throughout Europe to attend the trial.

More specifically, Kononovich brothers proceeded to the following statement:

Our case is completely fabricated from start to finish. What are we charged with? Pro-Belarussian views are being charged. We are being tried for our views. What kind of democracy can we talk about?

I want to appeal to the European left, to the Federation of Democratic Youth. Thank you, comrades. You are holding actions in Europe near the Ukrainian embassies in support of us so that they let us go, thank you very much. Together we will win!

Continue solidarity and protest in our support around the world, on all continents - in Europe, in Latin America, in other countries, because if the international community does not put pressure on the regime, we will rot in this prison.

And one more thing, I want to appeal to the European left. Comrades, we appeal to you and we want the deputies of the European Parliament to visit Ukraine and be present at our court session. So that they see with their own eyes and tell the whole world how the court is arranged.

We also call on the European media to also participate so that the whole world can see the face of the regime".

Sign here the Petition to demand the release of Kononovich brothers

Protest! Send letters and emails to your local Embassy or Consulate of Ukraine:

EU officials on Twitter:

UN: uno_us@mfa.gov.ua EU: pm_eu@mfa.gov.ua UK: emb_gb@mfa.gov.ua USA: emb_us@mfa.gov.ua gc_usn@mfa.gov.ua gc_uss@mfa.gov.ua Australia: emb_au@mfa.gov.ua Austria: emb_at@mfa.gov.ua Brazil: emb_br@mfa.gov.ua Italy: emb_it@mfa.gov.ua gc_itm@mfa.gov.ua Ireland: emb_ie@mfa.gov.ua Germany: emb_de@mfa.gov.ua France: emb_fr@mfa.gov.ua Greece: emb_gr@mfa.gov.ua Spain: emb_es@mfa.gov.ua Sweden: emb_se@mfa.gov.uaNetherlands: emb_nl@mfa.gov.ua Turkey: emb_tr@mfa.gov.ua ukremb@turksatkablo.net Portugal: emb_pt@mfa.gov.ua Romania: emb_ro@mfa.gov.ua India: emb_in@mfa.gov.ua Serbia: emb_rs@mfa.gov.ua Switzerland: emb_ch@mfa.gov.ua