Front Line Defenders, 12.02.2014

Evgeny Vitishko is part of the Rights.Risks.Change! campaign
On 12 February 2014, the Krasnodar Appeals Court ruled to uphold a decision to enact a three-year custodial sentence against environmental human rights defender Mr Evgeny Vitishko. He will now be transferred to a penal colony to serve out the remainder of his sentence.

On 3 February 2014, the day before the Olympic torch arrived in Sochi, Evgeny Vitishko was arrested along with six other members of Environmental Watch on North Caucasus (EWNC), who were later released. However, that same day, Evgeny Vitishko was convicted of petty hooliganism for allegedly swearing at a bus stop and sentenced to fifteen days in detention. The appeal of 12 February 2014 was due to be held on 22 February 2014 but was brought forward when the human rights defender was arrested. Evgeny Vitishko attended the appeal via video-conference call.

The decision to reject the appeal upheld a decision, dated 20 December 2013, to enact a three-year suspended sentence against the human rights defender. The original sentence dated from June 2012 and stemmed from charges of causing criminal damage to property after he allegedly spray painted graffiti on a construction fence. Twice in November 2013, the human rights defender was accused of violating the terms of this sentence.

EWNC is an independent group that published a report on environmental damage caused by preparations for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi. For years, the group has led protests and repeatedly spoke out publicly on these issues. It has previously been subjected to threats and harassment due to its work.

Front Line Defenders is gravely concerned that the arrest and detention of Evgeny Vitishko are solely motivated by his work on environmental and human rights in the context of the Sochi Olympics, and calls for his immediate and unconditional release.

For more information on this case, please see the Front Line Defenders urgent appeal from 5 February 2014. See also Front Line Defenders campaign on the Sochi Olympics.

– See more at: http://www.frontlinedefenders.org/node/24983#sthash.4P6oEhbd.dpuf