In Memoriam of the Man Who Sued the KGB

[LiberalAndProud]

http://www.tmt-index.com/news/article/in-memoriam-of-the-man-who-sued-the-kgb/439407.html

In Memoriam of the Man Who Sued the KGB
24 June 2011
Reuters
LONDON — It was one of those icy Russian winter nights.

He must have flitted unseen past the KGB sentry and across the courtyard to slip that odd black invitation card under my door. Finding it on the mat in the morning, I dismissed it as the work of a maniac and sauntered off to make coffee.

"Maverick and plaintiff Viktor Tomachinsky invite you to a legal party to be held on Dec. 8, 1981, at 3 p.m. at the Moscow City Court. Continuing with refreshments at my flat. Guests of honor, alias defendants: The Committee for State Security and the Interior Ministry (not invited for refreshments)."

-snip-
The case unfolded, Viktor's lawyer put his arguments. The judges listened carefully and withdrew, promising a verdict the following day. When it came, Viktor had cause for celebration. No cash payout from the secret police; but the presiding judge, talking quietly, calmly, as if such cases crossed his desk every day, declared that the court had no authority to rule in cases of the KGB. Russians might have asked for generations just who did, but hearing it officially declared in court was something.

-snip-
Since he did not belong to any collective, not even a dissident group, Viktor's case went unnoticed at home and scarcely found its way into the Western media. I never got to know this Viktor, born into the Soviet Union's holiest of celebrations, Victory Day, on May 9, 1945. I don't even have a photograph. But I have a lasting regard for the reckless courage and humor with which he slipped past that sentry, fully knowing how it might all end.

Really, this is worth clicking. This is a beautiful tribute to one courageous motor mechanic. There are lessons here.


Edit: oops. forgot to leave the link.

[Blue_Tires]

1. even hollywood couldn't come up with something this surreal...

[LiberalAndProud]

2. Hollywood should do this story.

They could use some new material.