Court fines defender of trees in Astrakhan Kremlin

The Magistrate Court of the Kirov District of Astrakhan has fined Alexander Kirpichenko, a participant of the action for preservation of greenery in the city Kremlin, by 20,000 roubles.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the picket during which Kirpichenko was detained was held on July 3 in protest against the decision of the city authorities to cut down 1500 trees and shrubs in the Astrakhan Kremlin. On that day several solo pickets were held; however, only Alexander Kirpichenko was detained.

The circumstances of his detention by policemen and the trial were described by Alexander Kirpichenko himself in his blog on the LiveJournal.

"The action was held as a solo picket... As I stood with a poster, a guy with his girl came up to me to better read the text: 'The Kremlin is not for cutting - it is a monument of architecture'. They read the poster, expressed solidarity and went away," says Alexander Kirpichenko.

According to his version, the episode could in no way be treated as a rally; however, a police officer in the rank of lieutenant colonel "had treated it in his own way." "The action took the form of a rally; the random passers-by turned into its participants; and I became the organizer," writes Kirpichenko.

At the police station, they drew up a protocol about an offence under Article 20.2 (Violation of the established rules of organizing or holding an assembly, rally, demonstration, march or picket); and the poster was confiscated as evidence.

"Naturally, I didn't agree with the protocol. There, at the station, they explained to me that the essence of my offence was that I had not folded up the poster at the approach of passers-by," the activist writes.

A video of the incident was posted by ex-candidate for the Mayor of Astrakhan Oleg Shein on his blog.

The materials were transferred to the magistrate judge of precinct No. 5 of the Kirov District. The fine of 20,000 roubles was imposed today in accordance with the new law on rallies, the "Gazeta.ru" reports.