Olga Zatomskaya, Judge of a Moscow court of the first instance,
imposed a RUR 2,000 fine of YABLOKO leader Sergei Mitrokhin
for his talking to journalists and bloggers
during the protest action of June 6. The court's decision
bases on a false testimony of witnesses and police. The party
intends to appeal against this decision.
On June 6, YABLOKO activists led by Sergei Mitrokhin participated
in the so-called walking protests against the adoption of
the amendments to the law on rallies. YABLOKO activists for
40 minutes were walking by the Kremlin in white T-shirts with
the inscription "The law on rallies is a way to a fascist
state". But then the police demanded from the activists
to remove T-shirts, and after
a refusal began detentions.
The Judge ruled out that Mitrokhin was guilty under Article
20.2 of Part 1 of the Administrative Code (violation of the
established procedure for organizing rallies, demonstrations,
marches and pickets). The judge based her decision on false
testimonies of police officers who had not take part in the
detentions.
According to fabricated detention records that were laid
in the basis of the evidence against Mitrokhin, YABLOKO
leader was wearing a T-shirt with YABLOKOs emblem and was
shouting slogans of Shame! and Down with the police state!.
However, the photographs from the action clearly demonstrate
that Mitrokhin was not wearing a T-shirt with the party symbol,
but had an ordinary polo T-shirt and a jacket on.
The photo from the action demonstrates that
Mitrokhin was not wearing a YABLOKO T-shirt.
When Alexei Syuzyumov, the defender of the party leader, asked
the witnesses to describe Sergei Mitrokhin whom they had allegedly
detained, the first police officer could only say that "he
was an adequate man and did not resist during arrest and was
and MP". Another witness said he did not remember how
YABLOKO leader looked like, because from that time he had
been involved in over 100 arrests.
Finally answering the question what were the violations made
by Mitrokhin, the witnesses said that "there were bloggers
and journalists around him.
YABLOKO will appeal against this decision in a higher court.
Also on September 4, the same judge imposed a RUR 1,000 fine
on Maya Zavyalova, YABLOKOs activist, for "shouting
slogans" during the June walking protests against the
adoption of amendments to the law on rallies. Then the court's
decision also based on false testimony of witnesses and police.
See also:
Mitrokhin:
signing by President Putin of the law on rallies represents
an actual ban on street actions. Interfax,
June 8, 2012.
Police
stopped the procession to the monument to Pushkin because
of the T-shirts with protest slogans. Press Release,
June 6, 2012
Russian
United Democratic Party leader Sergey Mitrokhin arrested as
"a hooligan". EU Reporter, June 5, 2012. Video.
YABLOKO
leader and 17 activists arrested by the State Duma. Press
Release, June 5, 2012.
YABLOKOs
action: toughening of penalties for rallies is a straight
way towards a totalitarian state. Press Release, May 27,
2012
Rally
against raising of penalties for rallies. Press Release,
May 22, 2012
Mitrokhin
released without charges, other activists will stand before
court. Press Release, May 22, 2012.
Sergei
Mitrokhin and activists detained at the "walking protests"
by the State Duma
Press Release, May 22, 2012.
Youth
YABLOKO to picket the State Duma protesting against raising
of fines for rallies
Press Release, May 17, 2012.
Yavlinsky
called on the "walking protestors" in St. Petersburg
to set political goals. Interfax. May 15, 2012
Human
Rights
Freedom
of Assembly
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