Press Release, November 21, 2013

Today YABLOKO leader Sergei Mitrokhin, his advisor Sofya Rusova and activists of the Krasnodar branch of YABLOKO came to court to support human rights defender and director of a regional NGO Professor Mikhail Savva.

Student Olga Zazulya, political prisoner Mikhail Savva, YABLOKO leader Sergei Mitrokhin

Mikhail Savva is charged with two cases of fraud, including embezzlement of a regional administration’s grant amounting to 366,000 roubles (approx. Euro 8,306.4). Professor Savva denies all the allegations and claims that the trial against him is aiming at discrediting NGOs.

Mitrokhin drew journalists’ attention to a telltaling slip of tongue of Judge Makhov, who said “Witness, please sign the notice on criminal liability for your refusal to give false testimony”.

Mikhail Savva asked the witnesses for prosecution who had invited them to court. One of the witnesses, officer of the Kuban State University, said he had been invited by Illarion Popov, head of the university’s security service, who had been a former FSB agent. According to Olga Zazulya, student of the University and an activist of the group in support of Professor Savva, Popov had conducted “preventive talks” with the students on the socio-political situation in Russia and the Krasnodar. Also he had discussed Professor Savva’s case with the students many times.

Student Anastasia Zvetkova, witness for prosecution, failed to give a proper testimony or answer a question who had invited her to court.

Sergei Mitrokhin said that the criminal case against Mikhail Savva represented ongoing reprisals against civil activists in the Krasnodar Territory. Mitrokhin stressed that YABLOKO would closely follow Mikhail Savva case. On November 20, Sergei Mitrokhin handed the appeal of Mikhail Savva’s wife to President Vladimir Putin.

The next hearing of Mikhail Savva case will take place on November 25, at 11 a.m.

Sergei Mitrokhin, Sofya Rusova, Chair of the Krasnodar branch of YABLOKO Andrei Rudomakha