Press Release, 5.09.2024

Photo: Nikolai Kavkazsky at the protest action against the start of the “special operation” / Photo from Nikolai Kavkazsky’s archive

The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that the rights of Moscow Yabloko member Nikolai Kavkazsky were violated by the Russian state. The politician was detained at a protest action against the invasion of Russian troops into Ukraine on 24 February, 2024, and arrested for six days. The European Court of Human Rights awarded Kavkazsky 5,000 Euros in compensation, which he will not receive because Russia refuses to comply with the ECHR’s decisions.

“On 24 February, I reposted Kirill Goncharov’s post on Telegram about the pacifist action. Then, along with thousands of other people, I participated in a protest against the start of the so-called special operation. On the same day, I was detained by the political police (Centre E) when I returned home from the protest action. The next day, the court arrested me for six days,” Nikolai Kavkazsky recounts the events.

The ruling of the European Court of Human Rights stated that the escort, arrest and detention of Yabloko member Nikolai Kavkazsky contradicted the requirements of Russian legislation and the guarantee of “lawfulness” provided for by Article 5 of the European Convention. This article guarantees everyone the right to liberty and security of person. The court also decided that the politician’s right to a fair trial and the right to freedom of expression were violated.

Nikolai Kavkazsky thanks the human rights activists who helped him to file a complaint with the ECHR.