Press Release, 20.08.2020

Yabloko Chairman Nikolai Rybakov sent an appeal to Igor Krasnov, Public Prosecutor General, and Vladimir Kolokoltsev, Interior Minister, regarding the development of Mount Kushtau and the protests of local residents.

In his address, the head of Yabloko recalled the attack on the activists who oppose limestone mining in Kushtau, and noted that, despite their calls to the emergency service at 112, the police did not fulfill their duties.

“In violation of the law “On Police”, the immediate arrival at the scene of the crime was not ensured, the unlawful actions of the attackers committed in front of the police officers were not suppressed, the threat to the safety of citizens was not eliminated, and measures were not taken to arrest the perpetrators. The four police officers who arrived did not react to the crimes committed in front of their eyes, appeals and cries for help (there is a video recording),” the appeal runs.

In addition, Nikolai Rybakov also stressed that the identities of the criminals were not established, despite the testimony of eyewitnesses. On August 15 and 16, during the arrest of 80 activists numerous violations were committed: the detainees were beaten, kept in the street, and not explained their rights.

“Unlawful restrictions on the freedom of movement of citizens and the failure by the police to fulfill theier duties established by law to suppress crimes against citizens participating in peaceful actions indicate clear discrimination on the part of the police against such a group of citizens, the obvious interest and direct action of the police on the side of commercial structures,” Nikolai Rybakov emphasised in his address to the Public Prosecutor General and the Minister of Internal Affairs.

The Yabloko party considers all the police actions indicated in the appeal to be repressions aimed at suppressing peaceful actions of citizens in defence of their constitutional rights.

In this regard, Nikolai Rybakov demanded that the Public Prosecutor General and the Interior Minister conduct a check on the actions of law enforcement officers during the events in Kushtau, stop prosecuting citizens who participated in peaceful actions to protect the environment, initiate a criminal case against those who beat the defenders of Kushtau, and take all possible measures for their immediate release.