In Rostov-on-Don, court cancels decision on arrest of retired Judge Dmitry Novikov

Panel of judges for criminal cases of the Rostov Regional Court has considered the appeal to change the pre-trial restriction to Dmitry Novikov, the retired Judge of the Khosta District of Sochi, cancelled the decision of the lower court and sent the case materials for a new consideration.

The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent has reported that on February 16, the decision on arrest of Dmitry Novikov was made at the request of Alexander Bastrykin, Chairman of the Investigatory Committee of the Russian Federation (ICRF). Dmitry Novikov himself believes that the panel of judges of the Krasnodar Territory has unlawfully changed his pre-trial restriction from recognizance not to leave to keeping in custody. During the consideration at the Supreme Court, which took place on May 24, it was decided to bring consideration of the Dmitry Novikov's appeal to the Rostov Regional Court.

The Court found the arguments of Dmitry Novikov and his defence justified and recognized that the composition of the first instance court, which granted the motion of Alexander Bastrykin, Chairman of the ICRF, on arrest of Dmitry Novikov, was unauthorized.