23:08, 19 September 2014

In Moscow, "Yabloko" activists picket in support of Evgeny Vitishko

A picket in support of Evgeny Vitishko, a convicted member of the "Ecological Watch for Northern Caucasus" (EcoWatch), was held by members of the "Yabloko" Party within the "Week of Actions". According to the party's plan, during a week, in several Russian cities, including Moscow, Saint Petersburg and Krasnodar, "Yabloko" activists and other supporters of Vitishko held rallies and solo pickets demanding Vitishko's immediate release.

On June 20, 2012, Evgeny Vitishko, a member of the "Ecological Watch for Northern Caucasus" (EcoWatch), was sentenced to three years of conditional imprisonment probation on charges of damaging the fence around the land plot, known as the "dacha" of the Krasnodar Governor Alexander Tkachov. However, on December 20, 2013, the Tuapse District Court replaced the ecologist's conditional term for real imprisonment; and he was convoyed to a colony-settlement in the Tambov Region. In May 2014, the Prosecutor’s Office filed a petition to cancel the ruling of the Tuapse District Court on Evgeny Vitishko's placement into colony. The Krasnodar Court scheduled consideration of the petition for September 24.

In Moscow and Saint Petersburg the actions were agreed with the prefectures, while in other cities solo pickets were held, which need no authorities' permits. The largest action took place today in front of the Ministry of Public Health in Neglinnaya Street in Moscow, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.

"We expect Evgeny's unconditional acquittal, his immediate release and demand to try those involved in the falsification of the case against our friend," said one of the participants of the action.

Sergey Mitrokhin, the leader of the "Yabloko", who also took part in the action, said in his interview to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that "should they fail to release Vitishko, the next action will be held in the Red Square."

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.

Author: Oleg Krasnov

Source: CK correspondent