Rostov-on-Don: 40 people come to support journalist Alexander Tolmachov

About 40 persons attended a rally in support of Alexander Tolmachov, the editor-in-chief and publisher of the newspaper "I'm Authorized to State" that took place on Lenin Square of Rostov-on-Don on August 11.

The pretext for the two-hour-long action was in the nomination of the journalist as a candidate for a Deputy of the Legislative Assembly of the Rostov Region and the start of pre-trial hearing of Tolmachov's case.

"While in custody, Alexander is unable to take part in the election campaign," said Maria Polyanichko, one of the organizers of the rally.

According to her story, they demand "that the Kuschevsky District Court change his custody for the recognizance not to leave the territory of the 19th Electoral Constituency, where the election campaign will be held during August," the website "Southern Federal" reports.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Alexander Tolmachov was arrested by the decision of the Novocherkassk City Court in December 2011 on charges of extorting one million roubles from some entrepreneur. Later, the court repeatedly extended his arrest.

Oppositional and public activists believe that Tolmachov is subjected to repressions for his critical articles.