Woman from Astrakhan fined for criticizing Governor Zhilkin

In Astrakhan, a magistrate judge of the Kirov District has recognized local resident Nadiya Fokina guilty of hooliganism and sentenced her to a fine of 500 roubles; on August 17, she criticized Alexander Zhilkin, Governor of the Astrakhan Region, in the presence of Russian President Dmitri Medvedev, when the former demonstrated a repaired embankment to the latter.

According to her story, Ms Fokina asked the Governor not to make "pokazukha" (window dressing). According to militiamen, Nadiya Fokina, having seen Russian President and Governor of the Astrakhan Region, started loudly crying out curses. "She spoke obvious obscene words, we can say, she attempted on President," the local UVD (Interior Department) asserts.

The "Kommersant" writes that UVD officials managed to prove at the court that the woman had swore hard in the presence of the head of the state, thus, breaking the public order. 

The woman was found guilty of minor hooliganism based on evidences of two witnesses. One of them is an UVD employee, the other - a tramp. The witnesses assert that they heard the defendant swearing hard at the President of the Russian Federation. 

Nadiya Fokina denies the accusations: "I shouted addressing the Governor: 'Why do you show the embankment? Better show Bakinskaya and Plescheeva' (streets of the city with plenty of shabby houses)." 

According to her story, after the meeting with the President, in the evening she was visited by employees of the Kirov ROVD. Not having found Ms Fokina at home, militiamen made a repeated visit nest morning. Khanat Tasenov, local district militiaman, demanded from her to come to the head of the ROVD (District Interior Department). According to Fokina, Nadyr Safaraliev, head of the Kirov ROVD, asked her about her workplace, and then - why she had said her retort. "I explained that I really think so: why should we go in for 'pokazukha' instead of showing how people really live in Astrakhan. Why can't I say what I think?" said - the woman. 

The Governor's press secretary refused to discuss the incident, while the Kirov ROVD noted that they have no right to comment the judgement. Nadiya Fokina plans to appeal against the court decision and prove illegality of militia's actions.

See earlier reports: "Editor of newspaper "Marsho" in Chechnya complains about pressure of power authorities," Verkhovskiy: "Chernovik" case in Dagestan leads to closing the paper," "FIDH: Russia's anti-extremist laws give grounds to persecute dissidents."