Darya Polyudova complains to ECtHR against her arrest

An activist Darya Polyudova, accused of inciting extremism, has applied to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) against her illegal prosecution, in her opinion, and long detention in custody in Krasnodar.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Darya Polyudova was one of the organizers of the "March for Federalization of Kuban (Krasnodar Territory)", which was scheduled for August 17, 2014, but never took place. Polyudova was detained in Krasnodar on August 15, and arrested on August 17. A criminal case was opened against her under the articles of inciting extremism and involvement in an extremist community. In total, Polyudova has spent more than six months in SIZO (pre-trial prison). On February 25, 2015, she was released on recognizance not to leave.

According to Polyudova herself, she is persecuted for placement a photo and text in the social network "VKontakte", in which investigators have found calls for a violent overthrow of the state power.

Polyudova believes that "a criminal case for criticizing the authorities," and her long custody were disproportionate and too severe in relation to her activities. She insists that her statements cannot be qualified as extremism, as it is merely an expression of her opinion; and according to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), she has the right to express her opinions freely and without restrictions, the "Vedomosti" writes today, citing Alexander Popkov, a Polyudova's advocate.

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