Lebedev's Words
Throughout the trial Platon Lebedev, a man of powerful intellect and conviction, fiercely rebuked the charges against him: "the assertions and conclusions of the Prosecutor-General's Office do not correspond to reality, are not based on law and contain libelous and deliberately false information," he said.
In response to his guilty verdict, Lebedev sought to reassure Russians about the long-term future of their country: "the root of the problem is the systematic crisis caused by degraded officials, not the country itself."
In December 2008, while answering questions from Novaya Gazeta readers about his trial and Russia's political system, Lebedev said he would not leave "a single stone standing" of these delirious charges.
In pursuing an appeal through higher Russian courts Lebedev said "I believe in Russia's future, and this also includes Russia's jurisdiction. I try to help jurisdiction to become qualified, independent and impartial." Despite the slim chances of reversal amidst the politically-charged environment, he maintains "we have an opportunity to set things right so that no one will ever feel ashamed of our country."