Press Release, November 21, 2013

During yesterday’sa meeting between President Vladimir Putin and leaders of non-parliamentary parties YABLOKO leader Sergei Mitrokhin handed to Vladimir Putin an appeal demanding to take under presidential control the criminal case filed against Daud Garakoyev, leader of the YABLOKO branch in Ingushetia. Mitrokhin stated that persecution of Garakoyev had taken place due to his criticism of the government of the Republic of Ingushetia.

The formal reason for the filing a criminal case against Garakoyev was publication of an article entitled “Ingushetia Is Knocking at Vladimir Putin’s Door” published at one of the web-sites which allegedly contained insults of a representative of the state authority in his performance of his duties. In fact, the article contained interpretations of Garakoyev’s speech at a meeting of representatives of public organisations of the Republic of Ingushetia with journalists. Garakoyev was neither the owner of the web-site nor the author of the article.

According to YABLOKO, the persecution began after a conference held in the Rosbalt News Agency in May 2013, where Garakoyev criticised the regional authorities for corruption in the presence of numerous federal media. In his speech, Garakoyev expressed his concerns that the law on election of the head of the Republic by the parliament adopted by the National Assembly of Ingushetia restricted the constitutional right of citizens to vote and be elected to the state power bodies, and also he spoke corruption in Ingushetia.

Garakoyev was forced to hide away; whereas the law enforcement were resorting to continuous provocations and pressure on the members of his family, up to direct threats.

Sergei Mitrokhin also demanded from the President to ensure that the government of the Republic of Ingushetia would end the practices of filing politically motivated criminal cases against their opponents, as well as stop using the police for political persecution.

Also at the meeting with the President YABLOKO leader raised the issue of reprisals in the Krasnodar region, in particular, persecution of Andrei Rudomakha and the criminal case against human rights activist Dr. Mikhail Savva.