Much admired Marina Philippovna,

We send you heartfelt congratulations on your Birthday!

We wish you sound health, energy, resilience and happiness. Like thousands of other mothers in Russia you and your family have fallen under the shadow of the State’s lawless and arbitrary rule. Your son is behind bars, sent to prison for political reasons.

We appreciate the burden you have to bear. We are full of admiration for you. You raised a wonderful son and that in itself already says much about your marvellous qualities as a person. Today people in Russia are set mercilessly one against another. You stand on the side of Truth and Justice. We believe that happiness will again return to your home and we wish that to happen with all our hearts. May nothing disturb your peace and calm.

Many, many happy returns!

Liudmila Alekseeva, Chairwoman for Moscow Helsinki Group
Valery Abramkin, director of the Center of assistance to reform of criminal justice
Andrey Babushkin, leader of Civil Liberties Committee
Lev Ponomarev, For Human Rights movement
Yuri Samodurov, Director of the Andrei Sakharov Museum and Public Centre
Ernst Cherny, the head of the Public Committee for the Defense of Scientists
Priest Gleb Yakunin, Freedom of Conscience Defence Committee