Evgeny Vitishko files complaint to ECtHR

Krasnodar ecologist Evgeny Vitishko, sentenced on charges of infliction of damage to the fence around the land plot known as "summer cottage" Alexander Tkachov, Krasnodar Governor, has appealed to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) and filed a complaint about violation of freedom of speech. This was announced by his representative Furkat Tishaev.

"In the complaint filed to the ECtHR, we refer to the fact that the Russian courts failed to properly assess the complainant's right to freedom of expression and to criticize the authorities guaranteed by the European Convention," the "RAPSI" (Russian Agency of Legal and Judicial Information) quotes Furkat Tishaev as stating.

Besides, according to Furkat Tishaev, the Evgeny Vitishko's complaint separately raises the issue on unlawfulness of the criminal proceedings against the ecologist and the punishment for his useful social activities.

"In this case, we protect not only the rights of the complainant, but also the very principle of freedom of speech and the right to public expression," Furkat Tishaev has emphasized.

It should be noted that on August 3, it became known that Evgeny Vitishko went on hunger strike. According to the ecologist's friends, he refused food in protest against placing in a punishment cell of the settlement-colony. On August 5, the ecologist's supporters reported that Evgeny Vitishko stopped the hunger strike.