Angela Sineok: trial of "Chernovik" in Dagestan is meaningful

The litigation against the newspaper "Chernovik" (Blueprint) in Dagestan should affect the enforcing practice of Article 282 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation "Kindling hatred or enmity and humiliation of one's dignity". This was stated by Angela Sineok, Director of the Rostov Regional Centre (RRC) "Law and Mass Media". In her opinion, at present the authorities use this article to suppress the freedom of speech.

"An unprecedented thing happened at the trial of 'Chernovik'. Militiamen came to the courtroom and confirmed that corruption exists in law enforcement bodies, and everything about what journalists write is true," said Ms Sineok, who is acting as an expert at the "Chernovik" trial.

The expert believes that the authorities want to close "Chernovik". "Initially, they tried to sue the newspaper under Article 280 of the Russian Criminal Code and accuse of spreading terrorist ideas. But they failed. Then, Article 282 was used - "Kindling of enmity and social hatred towards the social group named 'militia'. The piquant point in this trial is that militiamen have confirmed - tortures and bribes are present there," Ms Sineok said.

She has noted that in the opinion of analysts of the RRC the materials of "Chernovik" have no attributes of kindling hatred, since "employees of law enforcement bodies are referred neutrally," although journalists criticize actions of the Dagestan militia for abuse of powers and corruption.

Meanwhile, the state accuser petitioned for not adding the examination made by the RRC "Law and Mass Media" to the case files and recognizing to be an inadequate proof, since, in his opinion, certain procedural norms had been violated.