YABLOKO conducted a picket by representation of the Tula region
in Moscow in support of deputy of the Tula City Duma from
the YABLOKO party Vladimir Timakov.
A criminal case was filed against Timakov for his criticism
of the Governor of the Tula region Vyacheslav Dudka (“The
Governor is responsible for the rise of corruption in the
region”). It should be noted that, in accordance with Russian
law, libel cases may be filed either within the criminal or
the civil process. However, all the recent cases against journalists
or dissenting people who dared to criticize the officials
were raised within criminal process.
YABLOKO’s activists decided to make laugh of the Governor
playing the meaning of name (‘dudka” means a fife or a pipe
in Russian, also ‘dance after a pipe’ is often used). Under
the sounds of the pipes the activists hung placards on the
door of the Tula region representation “Corrupt officials
and not fighters against corruption should be taken to trial”,
“Tula Court, stop dancing under the Governor’s pipe”, “Dudka,
engage in the housing and utilities sector problems and not
in trials with Timakov”. In addition, the activists presented
the Governor with a symbolic present – a vuvuzela. However,
none of the staff of the representation came to take the present.
Vladimir Timakov is the only politician in the Tula region
who dared to criticize the Governor. Timakov laid the blame
for record high corruption in the region on Governor Dudka.
Timakov was already found guilty in two civil trials. He
was also fined RUR 1.5 mln (approx. USD 500,000) for the moral
damage to the Governor. The possessions in the flat where
Timakov’s family lives (he has several children) is sequestered
for the debt. The list of such property includes a fridge,
a washing machine, books, icons, children’s furniture. Timakov
also faces up to three years of imprisonment.
Sergei Mitrokhin by the representation of
th Tula region with a placard “Corrupt officials and not Timakov
should be taken to trial”
“Corrupt officials and not Timakov should
be taken to trial”
“Corrupt officials and not fighters against
corruption should be taken to trial”
“Dudka, engage in the housing and utilities
sector problems and not in trials with Timakov”
“Corrupt officials and not Timakov should
be taken to trial”"Hands Off From Timakov!", “Corrupt
officials and not fighters against corruption should be taken
to trial”
“Corrupt officials and not Timakov should
be taken to trial”"Hands Off From Timakov!", “Corrupt
officials and not fighters against corruption should be taken
to trial”
“Dudka, engage in the housing and utilities
sector problems and not in trials with Timakov”, ”Hands Off
From Timakov!"
See also:
Tula City
Duma deputy persecuted for his criticism of the Governor’s
work. Statement by the Tula branch of YABLOKO. July 15, 2010
Freedom
of Speech
Human
Rights
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