The act was part of a commemorative event marking the one-year anniversary of the largest political prisoner exchange since Soviet times. The event took place at the MOXY Cologne Bonn Airport hotel. It brought together several former detainees including human rights advocate Oleg Orlov, politician Andrei Pivovarov, activists Vadim Ostanin, Demuri Voronin, Herman Moises and Kevin Lick. Other speakers included Belarusian human rights defender Leanid Sudalenka, a former political prisoner and Liusiena Zinovkina whose husband is a Ukrainian civilian detainee. Participants signed an open appeal to world leaders urging them to act in support of political prisoners and ensure their release. The gathering served as a public reminder of those who remain behind bars and the need for continued international pressure.