Defence of Suren Gazaryan and Evgeny Vitishko intends to challenge verdict of Tuapse District Court

The decision of the Tuapse District Court, which convicted ecologists Suren Gazaryan and Evgeny Vitishko to three years of conditional sentence with probation period of two years, will be challenged at the court of appeal. This was stated by the defence.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Suren Gazaryan and Evgeny Vitishko, the activists of the "Ecological Watch for Northern Caucasus", are accused of damaging the fence around the alleged summer cottage of Alexander Tkachov, Governor of the Krasnodar Territory. Today, the court convicted them to three years of conditional sentence with probation period of two years and restriction of freedom for the probation period.

According to the court, Suren Gazaryan and Evgeny Vitishko cannot leave their homes from 11:00 p.m. till 6:00 a.m. Until the sentence enters into force, the court has upheld the old measure of restraint against ecologists they are under recognizance not to leave, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.

To file a complaint against the decision of the Tuapse District Court to the Krasnodar Territory Court, the defence has 10 days from the date of sentencing. Today, however, the court failed to give out the minutes of the court session. It will be ready only on June 25.

Suren Gazaryan and Evgeny Vitishko stated that they expected the verdict of guilty. According to the ecologists, they were not sentenced to imprisonment only thanks to public response and support.