Court in Sochi changed journalist Yarst's detention for home arrest

On Monday, the Tsentralny District Court of Sochi dismissed the petition of the investigation to change the recognizance not to leave of the journalist of the Public Television of Russia (PTR) Nikolai Yarst for custody. Instead, the court appointed a two-month home arrest, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.

Let us remind you that on May 23 inSochi, Nikolai Yarst and Philip Vasilenko, members of the PTR's filming crew, were detained. Agents of the UVD (Interior Department) found a package with some substance of gray-green colour in their car. Nikolai Yarst was charged with illegal possession of narcotic drugs. On May 25, the court ruled to put Yarst under recognizance not to leave.

The journalist denies the charges, linking them with his professional activities.

The today's court session was chaired by Judge Nikolai Udovik, who was addressed by Liana Khachatryan, an investigator of the UVD for the Tsentralny District, on changing the defendant's measure of restraint.

During the session the investigator said that, in her opinion, Nikolai Yarst is putting pressure on the investigation by giving interviews and speaking negatively about law enforcement officials. The defence has denied these arguments, saying that publicity is one of the main conditions for the development of a democratic society and the fight against corruption in the bodies of power.

After the session, Nikolai Yarst again said that he was not guilty. The very decision to change the measure of restraint was treated by him as unfair; and he said that he would appeal against it.