The change of power in Russia will be very similar to my arrest. On the night of Aug. 2, when the longest day of my life finally ended and I laid down on a hard bunk bed in an isolation cell of a detention center, the similarity of these two events suddenly became clear to me. And while my cellmates slept — one young and one middle-aged man who were facing prison terms for armed robbery — my tired and screaming brain continued to draw parallels…. However repressive the ruling regime is, however widespread lawlessness becomes, you never think that you, of all people, will be arrested. People tend to believe that the reckless automobile will plow into someone else, that the brick will fall on someone else’s head and that the undercover operative will come knocking on someone else’s door. All our lives, we drive away unpleasant thoughts, hoping and praying for a happy conclusion. Of course, I grew fearful with the news of each new arrest in connection with the rally on July 27, but each time I would calm myself with these thoughts: “But that fellow scuffled with a policeman. I didn’t touch any policemen.” Or: “That guy holds an important position in the campaign headquarters of an independent candidate. I don’t hold any position of that type.” Or: “They found a hammer in his backpack. I didn’t bring any hammers to the rally.”

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And then came the frightful sound of someone ringing my doorbell, just as I had, unfortunately. In fact, the change of power in Russia will happen in exactly the same way. Countless times I’ve heard people say: “Nothing will ever change here.” Even though the Russian people changed their system of government at least three times in the last century, they now have the reputation of being a passive mass of helpless humans. People of all stripes say: “This is our mentality — we’re like slaves. Maybe the people in this or that country stand up and fight against injustice, but nothing like that will ever happen in Russia. Democracy will never come here. Putin will never step down. Russia will never be free!” But that day will come — and just as suddenly and unexpectedly as the plainclothes officer who appeared at my door. What we once thought was impossible will suddenly happen. And in retrospect, it will appear to have been inevitable. After the government operative entered my apartment, events moved very quickly. About 10 more agents arrived to examine the contents of my cabinets, shelves and desk drawers. As an investigator held me in one room and refused to let me call a lawyer until I signed a paper he was holding, two other operatives reeking of alcohol discussed ways to intimidate me. And while a pair of policemen complained to each other that they certainly wouldn’t get enough sleep that day, others brought neighbors in from across the corridor as witnesses to the search. The situation was changing from minute to minute. What happened next? The cycle of events took a more serious turn: Interrogation, arraignment, another interrogation, 40 minutes of sleep in the holding facility, a court appearance, the holding pen again. And this was far from all that happened during those hours!