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We demand that prosecution of Suren Gazaryan be stopped

Statement by the YABLOKO party

December 19, 2012

The Russian United Democratic Party YABLOKO expresses a categorical protest against the prosecution of Suren Gazaryan and putting him on the federal wanted list.



Suren Gazaryan is a well-known environmentalist, an organizer of public actions against outrageous environmental violations in the Krasnodar region, the initiator of the resonance investigations of unlawful construction of permanent facilities in the natural reserves, Gazaryan plays an important role in the socio-political life of the region and criminal prosecution of Gazaryan represents nothing but a revenge of the authorities to him for his civil and political activity.

This is not the first attempt to make the environmentalist stop his activities undermining the corruption-prone plans of the top officials of the region. In June, Suren Gazaryan and Eugeny Vitishko, leader of the Tuapse branch of YABLOKO, were convicted and sentenced to three years of probation on the charges of damaging the fence around the so-called Governor Tkachyovs country residence built in the forest which is a natural reserve. In August 2012, we learned that a new criminal case was being fabricated against Gazaryan now for his alleged threats to kill Mr.Pirogov, an staff member of the private security company Rubin, who was on duty safeguarding Vladimir Putins country cottage at the Idokopas cape, and where Gazaryan and other activists were carrying out an environmental inspection. Recently we have learned that Gazaryan was summoned to the Gelendzik Department of Investigative Committee of Russia for filing formal charges against him on this case, and a few days ago it turned out that Gazaryan was put on the federal wanted list. As Gazaryan has already received a suspended sentence for "spoiling the fence" of the Governor Tkachyovs country residence, a new charge of a new criminal case may bring about a change in the measure of restraint and he may be put into prison.

The new charges against Gazaryan have been completely fabricated in the absence of any violations on his part. Obviously, this is a manifestation of a personal vendetta against YABLOKO activists on behalf of Governor of the Krasnodar Territory Alexander Tkachyov.

Considering the prosecution of Suren Gazaryan politically motivated, the YABLOKO party demands from Alexander Bastrykin, head of the Investigative Committee of Russia, to check the actions of his subordinates in the Krasnodar region who have been fabricating the second criminal case against Suren Gazaryan on absolutely fictitious grounds.

YABLOKO calls on all opposition forces, all the honest people to switch into the campaign in defence of Suren Gazaryan. Let us not allow the authorities to imprison him!

Sergei Mitrokhin,
Chair of the YABLOKO party

 

See also:

Do not write on a non-existing fence. Gogol.tv, November 19, 2012

On YABLOKOs initiative the Congress of European liberals condemned reprisals against Russian opposition. Press Release, November 10, 2012

On reprisals against YABLOKO activists and dissenters in Russia
Urgency Resolution submitted by the YABLOKO party and adopted by ALDE Congress on November 9, 2012

Protection of Environment

Human Rights

 

 

December 21, 2012

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