MOSCOW (Associated Press)

A jury in Moscow voted unanimously Thursday to acquit three men in the killing of journalist Anna Politkovskaya, dimming hopes for justice in a case that has mocked Russia’s claims to be a modern democratic nation.

The brazen 2006 slaying of the crusading investigative reporter sent a grim signal to other dissenters in Russia, proving that even the most prominent of Kremlin critics could be murdered with impunity.

And it provoked international outrage, raising suspicions that her death was ordered by prominent public officials.

A jury acquitted two Chechen brothers and a morose ex-cop following a trial that defense attorneys and Politkovskaya’s supporters said was marred by prosecution errors and oversights.

This is what happens when 3 loosely culpable suspects are put on trial and the feeblest of attempts is made to prosecute them within a legal system that is a sham, at least when it comes to politically motivated cases.

The issue at hand is not whether this was an expected outcome, predetermined by the forces that be, or at least by the shadowy figures that lurk within the Kremlin. After all, only those with the thickest of skins could possibly say that this was an actual hearing rather than a shameless exhibition of unchecked power overturning the hand of justice.

While it is easy and instinctive to rebuke Moscow for its actions, the lesson we ought to draw from this rather, is the price of our shared ideals of democracy and liberty.

Few amongst us have tasted the sweet dew of freedom that is the essence of a genuine constitutional democracy. However, the price that most of us pay for speaking up for ourselves and our brethren is much less than that of the ultimate sacrifice – one’s own life.

In my opinion then, the best way to honour the memory of Anna Politkovskaya and countless others who have gone down the path of the sacrificial lamb is to do what they could not. Speak up, exercise your rights, and stand up to the fear (imaginary or otherwise) of being persecuted for your words and actions. It is an empirical truth that absolute power corrupts, so then, let us the people strive to regain the voice that we rightfully deserve.

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