In Sochi, rights defenders consult activists and bloggers on fundamentals of legal security

In Sochi, 20 persons took part in the seminar "Fundamentals of legal security for activists, journalists, and bloggers" held on June 28. The event was held with the support of the interregional association of the human rights organizations "AGORA" and the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial".

Spokespersons of the seminar, Alexander Popkov, a well-known Sochi advocate, and Semyon Simonov, the coordinator of the Sochi reception network "Migration and Law" of the HRC "Memorial", have conducted a questionnaire survey during the seminar.

According to the survey, the participants were greatly interested in discussing the issues on the rights of detained citizens brought to administrative or criminal responsibility. This was stated by Semyon Simonov.

Besides, Sochi activists, journalists, and bloggers were also interested in the issues on legal status of citizens under prosecution or summoned for questioning, on legal guarantees, mechanisms of protection against wrongful acts of policemen, prosecutors, and investigators.

In his speech, advocate Alexander Popkov has consulted the participants of the seminar concerning what to do in case when policemen act beyond the legal framework and how to prevent abuse of power on the part of law enforcers. Alexander Popkov has mentioned the journalist Nikolai Yarst's case as a positive example of the fight against tyranny and corruption in the law enforcement agencies.