Cherkasov: if verdict to Vitishko comes into force, we'll regard him as political prisoner

The case of Evgeny Vitishko has an obvious political context, the participants of the rallies in support of the Krasnodar ecologist held in various cities of Russia have stated. Alexander Cherkasov, the Chairman of the Board of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial", believes that the decisions of this sort taken in localities are contrary to the efforts undertaken by the federal centre to improve the country's image.

"On one and the same day (December 20), they release one political prisoner – Mikhail Khodorkovsky, and put another one – Vitishko – into jail instead," Alexander Cherkasov has commented to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent on the decision passed by the court in Tuapse.

The decision passed by the court may look correct in terms of local bosses; however, in terms of the all-Russian authorities, straining their effort to improve the country's image on the eve of the Olympics, it looks like a 'sabotage of the general line'," explained the human rights activist.

The cases against activists of the "Ecological Watch for Northern Caucasus" were instituted under far-fetched pretexts, Evgenia Chirikova, the leader of the "Ecological Defence of the Moscow Region" (known as "Ekooborona") and the "Movement in defence of Khimki Forest", who participated in the action in support Vitishko, held in Moscow on December 25, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

In the opinion of Tatiana Lokshina, a member of the Human Rights Watch (HRW), the Vitishko case is politically motivated; and the court, while considering the case, worked under the order and eventually appointed an unlawful punishment.

Russian authorities, who try to silence the critics of the Olympics, should put an end to persecuting activists, including the environmentalists Suren Gazaryan and Evgeny Vitishko; otherwise it can tarnish the Olympic Festival, said the HRW.