Court upholds fine of 30,000 roubles imposed on "Golos" for breaking the media law

The Meschansky District Court of Moscow has rejected the cassation appeal lodged by the Association in Defence of Voters' Rights "Golos" (Vote), said Ramil Akhmetgaliev, a lawyer and analyst of the "Agora" Human Rights Association, who represented the interests of the "Golos".

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on December 2 the Magistrate Court of the Meschansky District of Moscow held a session on an administrative offence, found the Association of Non-Commercial Organizations in Defence of Voters' Rights "Golos" guilty of breaking the law on mass media and fined it by 30,000 roubles.

"The ruling to recover a fine of 30,000 roubles from the public organization for an alleged violation of the rules of information support of elections has come into force," said Akhmetgaliev.

"Judge Dmitry Kovalenko has stated that the right of the 'Golos' to defence at the magistrate court was not broken, while enough time was given to get acquainted with the materials of the case. With regard to allegations of illegal campaigning, the Meschansky Court, same as the magistrate one, came off by general phrases that allegedly the website of the 'Golos' contained some propaganda, but failed to specify the essence thereof and indicate the place on the website," the "Interfax" quotes the statement of the "Agora".

The lawyer has announced plans to prepare both a complaint to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) and supervisory complaints - first, to the Moscow City Court, the "Open Information Agency" reports.