With knowledge of the matter

After publishing my impressions of visiting the Khodorkovsky-Lebedev trial in The New Times, I received a letter of completely typical content.

“...do you really have any serious hopes for a lawful and justified verdict of the judge in the Khodorkovsky-Lebedev case? Is it really possible that today, during the triumph of the vertical power, an independent judge (of which there are almost none left) would be allowed to preside over such a trial?

Remember Stalin’s resolutions on the cases of his enemies: “Judge and shoot?” Today, a judge does not have the right not only to independently make a decision, especially in such cases, but also to tell the truth about the situation in justice. The severe punishment of the Cheka will befall such a dissident. Example: judge O. Kudeshkina..."

And the questions are rhetorical, and there is nothing to argue about here, and I would not introduce this letter to the respectable public if it were not for the signature below:

"FEDERAL JUDGE..."

And the last name, which I will tactfully hide so that my correspondent does not suffer the harsh punishment of the Cheka.