was charged with justifying terrorism and refused to plead guilty
To me this sounds like he was charged with justifying terrorism, not for refusing to plead guilty. Reading further the charge is based on “conversations with other inmates during which Miftakhov allegedly expressed support for a 2018 attack on a regional office of Russia’s Federal Security Service”. In reasonable legal system it would stand on very shaky legs given the other inmates have every reason to say whatever FSB told them to say otherwise they will be tortured as well. But this is russia.
Which is to say he wasn’t really charged for refusing to plead guilty, but in practice the FSB can just keep making up false charges and torturing him until he pleads guilty, so there’s very little difference. It might as well be an offense as you implied.
If you ever wondered why the American bill of rights includes the 5th amendment right to not testify against yourself, this is why. Without that right if you were ever accused of a crime you could be put in a catch 22 where you’re held in contempt of court until you confess.
I mean, I hated math as much as the next guy back in school, but this feels excessive.
That’s a funny legal system if it’s in itself illegal not to plead guilty.
The working in the article is a bit confusing:
To me this sounds like he was charged with justifying terrorism, not for refusing to plead guilty. Reading further the charge is based on “conversations with other inmates during which Miftakhov allegedly expressed support for a 2018 attack on a regional office of Russia’s Federal Security Service”. In reasonable legal system it would stand on very shaky legs given the other inmates have every reason to say whatever FSB told them to say otherwise they will be tortured as well. But this is russia.
Which is to say he wasn’t really charged for refusing to plead guilty, but in practice the FSB can just keep making up false charges and torturing him until he pleads guilty, so there’s very little difference. It might as well be an offense as you implied.
You’re probably right, but given what I know about Russia the idea that it would be illegal to plead not guilty didn’t even make me bat an eye.
If you ever wondered why the American bill of rights includes the 5th amendment right to not testify against yourself, this is why. Without that right if you were ever accused of a crime you could be put in a catch 22 where you’re held in contempt of court until you confess.