Press release,07.11.2015

On October 7, YABLOKO leader Sergei Mitrokhin was brutally arrested during YABLOKO’s annual peaceful action of laying of flowers commemorating the victims of the Bolsviks’ terror – officers and students of military schools who defended democratic Russia against the Bolsheviks’ coup in 1917. Mitrokhin was released after several hours of arrest only after interference of Andrei Babushkin, famous human rights defender in Russia and member of the Presidential Council for the Development of Civil Society and Human Rights.

However, the case of violation of law was filed by the police. Mitrokhin was accused of violation of Article 19.3 of the Administrative Code “defiance of a police lawful order or a demand”. There will be a trial on Monday. The Article envisages imprisonment for such violations. Mitrokhin did not sign an obligation to come to court issued by police as he said there was no guilt in laying flowers and paying tribute to the memory of the students of military colleges fighting against the Bolsheviks coup in 1917.

Annually YABLOKO activists lay flowers to the building where the head quarters of the defenders were and place a paper memorial plaque. At present the Head Quarters of the Russian mlitary are located in the building. However, they have never opposed the action so far.
It is for the first time that violent arrests take place during this peaceful memorial action. The arrest of YABLOKO leader Sergei Mitrokhin was brutal, Mitrokhin is threatened with loong-term imprisonment for alleged violation of several Russian laws.
Photos by Grigory Semenov