Picket in support of Alexei Dymovskiy held in Novorossisk

Supporters of Major Alexei Dymovskiy, who was detained on January 22 and brought to temporary isolation facility (known also as "IVS") in Krasnodar, have gathered today in his support.

Let us note that today the Primorskiy Court of Novorossisk starts hearings on militia bosses' claims against Dymovskiy.

"We are holding a picket in his support; there are many militiamen around, and some unknown persons try to provoke the picketers," Vadim Karastelyov, an official representative of the former militia major and an expert of Novorossisk Committee of Human Rights, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

"So far, we're five here against about 20 militiamen. We hold posters and leaflets demanding dismissal of head of Novorossisk UVD (City Interior Department). The posters run: 'There's no Dymovskiy without fire!' (a word-play based on Russian saying 'There's no smoke without fire', since surname 'Dymovskiy' originates from the Russian word meaning 'smoke', - comment of the translator), 'MIA - such life is impossible!" and 'Freedom to Dymovskiy!'," Mr Karastelyov reports.

According to his story, the militia behaves correctly.

Let us note here that during his telephone conversation with the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent, Vadim Karastelyov was approached by unidentified persons in civilian clothes, who tried to take away the leaflets he had brought to the picket.

"Also we get ready to searches in apartments of the 'White Tape' activists and to all sorts of provocations - planting of marked money, drugs and cartridges," Vadim Karastelyov said.