Press Release, 13.03.2023

Photo by the Chelyabinsk branch of Yabloko

On 11 March, the Chelyabinsk branch of the Yabloko party together with the “You Are Not Alone 74” project, held a charity auction in support of those persecuted for political reasons in the South Urals. During the auction, 49 lots were sold for a total of 71,250 roubles. The funds thus raised were sent to three residents of Chelyabinsk – Nadezhda Vertkhovskaya, Dmitry Gromovoi and Vladimir Kazantsev.

The auction was held in the conference hall of the Meridian Hotel. In addition to full-time participation in the auction, there was a video broadcast on the YouTube channel for those wishing to buy lots remotely. As a result, the auction turned out to be inter-regional: some lots were bought by residents of the Nizhny Novgorod and the Arkhangelsk regions.

During the auction, 49 lots of different price categories were traded: books, paintings, interior items, jewelry and much more. Lots were provided by residents of the region, and well-known public figures of Chelyabinsk. All lots were sold out, and the total amount of proceeds amounted to 71,250 roubles.

The amounts from each lot were transferred by the winners of the auction directly to the person in whose support the collection was. Thus three residents of the South Urals persecuted for political reasons got aid:

– Nadezhda Vertkhovskaya, a social activist and a member of the working group on environmental issues under the administration of Chelyabinsk.

The reason for her fine was an interview with a Chelyabinsk TV channel, in which Nadezhda expressed her opinion about the “special operation” on the territory of Ukraine. During the entire conversation with the journalist, the Russian army or Russian servicemen were never mentioned. The court saw “discrediting of the Russian army” in Nadezhda Vertyakhovskaya’s statements, but the “defamatory” comments were neither mentioned in the case file and nor examined by the court. The court fined her 40,000 roubles.

The amount collected for Nadezhda Vertyakhovskaya during the auction was 28,600 roubles.

– Dmitry Gromovoi, a human rights activist and journalist, is held in a pre-trial detention centre for more than 2.5 years, contrary to the decision of the European Court of Human Rights.

Dmitry Gromovoi is accused of attempted drug dealing. According to the defence, the case was completely fabricated. At the time of his arrest, the journalist was investigating the activities of one of the Internet web-sites selling illegal substances. No traces of his DNA were found on the drugs “found” in Gromovy’s apartment, but traces of DNAs of “unidentified persons” were found on these drugs. Gromovy’s team also published investigations related to the activities of Chelyabinsk officials and courts. Twice, the Investigative Committee of Russia responded to these publications by initiating checks.

The amount collected for Dmitry Gromovy within the framework of the auction was 19,950 roubles.

– Vladimir Kazantsev, a human rights activist and the leader of the STOP GOK movement (an environmental movement against the construction of the Tominsky ore mining and processing plant). He repeatedly spoke in court on environmental disputes: the case of Tominsky ore mining and processing plant, the dispute over the boundaries of the Chelyabinsk city forest, and the case of deforestation in the area of Topolinaya Alley in Chelyabinsk and others.

In October 2022, Vladimir Kazantsev was convicted under the article “fraud”. The ruling of the court was four years in a penal colony for him and also the judged ordered him to return 500,000 roubles to the plaintiff. Many believe that the case is politically motivated. Kazantsev should also reimburse the cost of legal costs to Tominsky GOK.

The amount collected for Dmitry Gromovy within the framework of the auction was 22,700 roubles.

Photo by the Chelyabinsk branch of Yabloko

According to the Chairman of the Chelyabinsk Yabloko, Yaroslav Shcherbakov, such a charity event was held in the region for the first time. “The first fry was not a flop, the goals of the auction were achieved: thanks to the active participation of more than 50 people, we event exceeded the planned amount. Even now, we can say with full confidence that such auctions will become regular. In the Urals, there are a sufficient number of people who are ready to help. Unfortunately, the repressive machinery of the authorities is not going to stop,” Shcherbakov said.