Press Release, 5.02.2021

In the photo: Yana Zenkina / Yana Zenkina’s personal page in the Vkontakte social network

The Leninsky District Court of Tambov sentenced Yana Zenkina, Chair of the Tambov regional branch of the Yabloko party, to a fine of 20,000 roubles. A case was initiated against the leader of the regional branch of the party on an administrative violation under Article 20.2 Part 2 of the Administrative Code (organisation of mass simultaneous stay and (or) movement of citizens in public places, entailing a violation of public order).

On February 4, Yana Zenkina was invited to the interior department of the Tambov Region, where a protocol on an administrative offense was drawn up against her for allegedly calling for a rally and its organisation on January 23. After drawing up the protocol, the leader of the regional branch of Yabloko was immediately taken to the Leninsky district court.

“In court, having read the materials of the case, I realised that it was fabricated, since there were no reposts on my page within the indicated period of time. Accordingly, I was not the organiser. I did not call anyone to go, as it is a personal choice of a citizen,” Yana Zenkina noted.

“But the court did not consider it necessary to go into details and use common sense. Therefore, it ruled that I was guilty and awarded a fine of 20,000 roubles. That, according to the human rights activist Zhilkin, who defended my rights in court, is quite acceptable, given that I have a small child, as usually, in practice, they give from seven days of arrest. But, in spite of everything, I say “Freedom for all political prisoners!” The Chair of the Tambov branch of Yabloko stressed.

It should be also noted that on the eve of the protest rallies, Yabloko members were arrested in Arkhangelsk and Yakutsk. Lev Shlosberg, member of the Federal Political Committee of Yabloko, was fined 20,000 roubles  for offering protesters to go to Hyde Park (a special place for holding rallies that does not require any permissions from the authorities if conducted there) on January 23.