Press Release 26.05.2023

Photo: Activists at a peaceful rally against pension reform / Photo from social media

In 2018, Yabloko member Nikita Khramov was detained in Kazan for stretching “No to the pension scam” slogan at a September rally against pension reform. Khramov was later fined 10,000 roubles under Article 20.2, Part 5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation (participation in an unpermitted rally).

The European Court of Human Rights recognised that the following articles of the European Convention on Human Rights had been violated in relation to the activist:

Article 5: Right to liberty and security. Article 20.2, Part 5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation does not represent an arrest warrant, a protocol of offense could have been drawn up on the spot, but the activist was taken to the police station and left there overnight.

Article 6: Right to a fair trial, as the prosecution was not present at the trial.

The European Court of Human Rights awarded Nikita Khramov compensation in the amount of 4,000 Euro. On 16 September, 2022, Russia ceased to be a party to the European Convention on Human Rights.

Nikita Khramov have repeatedly experienced pressure from the law enforcement in connection with his participation in peaceful civil actions. Thus, in 2020, the activist was arrested for seven days, allegedly for organising an unpermitted action. At the action, Khramov expressed his negative attitude towards voting for amendments to the new version of the Constitution.