Ahmetgaliev: Krasnodar law enforcers got interested in "Memorial" brochure because it criticizes them

The law enforcement agencies of the Krasnodar Territory got interested of the brochure "Situation with Former USSR Citizens in Krasnodar Territory", published by the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial" and the Youth Group for Tolerance named "ETnIKA", because the publication contains criticism of local authorities. This was stated by Ramil Ahmetgaliev, legal analyst of the Interregional Human Rights Association "AGORA" and advocate of Anastasia Denisova, head of the "ETnIKA".

"The experts who pointed to signs of extremism in the brochure, interpreted criticism of the administration of Krasnodar Territory, militia and ZAGS (civil registration) bodies as kindling of hatred," Ramil told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Mr Ahmetgaliev believes that in this case there were no legal grounds to initiate a criminal case under Article 282 of Russian Criminal Code (inciting hatred or enmity).

"Criticism is criticism; there's no law to try for criticism," he said.

According to his story, the brochure highlights "fairly serious problem of xenophobia" in the region, and the authorities are criticised for their "inability to take proper step to address the problems."

In the opinion of the lawyer, the case with the brochure of the "Memorial" is not the only case, when bureaucrats and state officials are treated as a "social group", which gives rise to accusations of extremism.