HRC "Memorial" recognizes Rostov activist Sergey Loshkaryov a political prisoner

Sergey Loshkaryov, a Rostov activist accused of illicit arms trafficking, is a political prisoner to be released from criminal prosecution. This was declared by the statement of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial".

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on June 5, 2014, Sergey Loshkaryov was detained in Novocherkassk and then placed under administrative arrest. The activist is accused of illicit trafficking in arms and ammunition, and his case is under consideration at the Novocherkassk City Court since January 2015.

Sergey Loshkaryov became well-known through publications videos on the YouTube about the situation with cutting down of the grove "Red Spring". On November 8, 2013, the City Duma of Novocherkassk decided to give a part of the land under the grove "Red Spring" for the construction of two kindergartens. Local residents protested against the decision and held rallies.

However, the immediate cause for instituting criminal proceedings against the activist was videos "Save Crimea! Appeal of a White Guard to residents of Crimea. Referendum in Crimea" and "Appeal of a Russian resident to Dmitry Yarosh, the leader of the Right Sector", in which Sergey Loshkaryov criticized the policy of the Russian authorities with regard to Ukraine, the HRC "Memorial" reports.

The human rights defenders point to signs of falsification in the criminal proceedings against the activists and also note rough procedural violations.

Recently, in the Rostov Region, courts have announced verdicts of guilty against persons with active life position, including journalists.

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