It seemed that we lived in a state governed by the rule of law.
It did not occur to us that this could happen to our friend.
To a journalist, a model citizen and a good man - Oleg Leontyev.
On December 17 Oleg and I had a lot to do.
He just rented a studio in this building, and I helped him move his stuff.
We were in a hurry, because Oleg had to give coverage to a 'Fair elections' rally,
that took place at 2 PM that day.
That's why, after finishing moving things, at 1:30 PM we parted and each of us went his own way.
At 1:31 PM Oleg wrote from his iPad: "I am going to the rally".
We met here at around 1:42 PM.
At 1:45 PM we were standing here, smoking and watching people gather for the rally.
The next day policemen knocked on Oleg's door.
They said that there was a burglary in one of the apartments in his building.
They asked him about his whereabouts on December 17th at 2 PM.
And then they showed him a facial composite of an alleged criminal.
Oleg could not even imagine that the facial composite that was so unlike him would become his portrait.
For about two months police showed no interest in Oleg,
but after attempts to find the actual criminal became futile, they decided to fix the blame on somebody --
-- they chose Oleg.
On February 19 Oleg was called in to Investigation Committee for questioning.
When Oleg left his home, he hadn't even turned off the lights --
he was sure that he would be back in an hour.
The police line-up failed to meet the legal requirements.
A frightened girl was shown a line-up of three men,
of which only Oleg fitted the profile by age and bodily constitution.
The child was manipulated into making the right choice
and pointing to Oleg.
He was locked up the same day.
He is still in the cell.
From February 19 and up to this day.
All of us testified that at the moment when the crime occured
Oleg was seen at the square by dozens of people.
We even submitted photographs and videos that were shot at 2 PM sharp that day.
When that pervert attacked the girl, Oleg was at the rally.
My testimony passed a polygraph test.
Knowing that the case against Oleg was falling into pieces,
a crime investigator launched his time machine.
He backdated the time when the crime occurred
from 2 PM to 1:30 PM.
The rest of the evidence is far-fetched as well.
The criminal was wearing a white jacket, while Oleg only has a black puffer
and never even had a white jacket.
The criminal has black hair, while Oleg is blond
and had a zero buzzcut during that time.
The criminal has acne, and Oleg does not.
And the most important thing is that the girl has already testified that she chose a wrong person during the line-up.
Oleg was not the man who offended her.
But prosecution does not want to listen to what the child is saying anymore.
The wheels of prosecution are spinning full-force now,
and they wont admit their mistakes.
In the meantime, it has been 3 months since Oleg was incarcerated.
The innocent man is behind the bars, while the criminal is walking free.
We have to say "No!" to the arbitrariness of police.
We shall go the rally against it in Krasnoyarsk.
On May 19. On Saturday. At 2 PM.
At the Red Square.
If you are not a trembling creature, but a good person, come join us.
Anyone of us can be the next.
I saw my son being handcuffed.
That day he told me: "Mother, everything's going to be alright. I am innocent."
I believe that my son is innocent.
And I want to believe, that everything is going to be alright.
Krasnoyarsk. May 19. 2 PM. The Red Square.
Rally in support of Oleg Leontyev.
Let's say "No!" to unlawfulness!
Rallies will also take place in other Russian cities.