La "última palabra", el grito de protesta de los rusos antes de perder la libertad

In the Russian judicial system, the 'last word' is a legal right granted to defendants to address the court immediately before a verdict is delivered. In recent years, this procedural step has increasingly evolved into a platform for political protest as the number of prison sentences handed down by the courts has risen.

This development reflects a broader trend where defendants utilize their final opportunity to speak in court to voice dissent against the state. As judicial proceedings lead to frequent incarcerations, these closing statements have become a significant, albeit final, act of public expression for those facing loss of liberty.