Policemen detain activists of "Communists of Russia" Party in Stavropol

Eight activists of the "Communists of Russia" Party have been detained today in Stavropol during an action in support of Mikhail Abramyan, said their advocate.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on April 11, the Oktyabrsky District Court of Stavropol found Mikhail Abramyan guilty under Part 1 of Article 20.1 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation (disorderly conduct) and sentenced him to a seven-day arrest.

The communists’ picket near the building of the territorial government began today around 5:00 p.m. The picketers have stated that they "oppose the political persecution of communists."

"We decided to respond to the political repressions unleashed against Communists in the Stavropol Territory; thus, Mikhail Abramyan, the second secretary of the Stavropol branch of the 'Communists of Russia' Party, is openly persecuted. He is now under administrative arrest in hospital. We are convinced that this is a provocation organized by the government of the Stavropol Territory," Dmitry Pechinsky, a member of the Central Committee of the above party, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Dmitry Pechinsky and Victor Makeev handcuffed themselves to the front door of the building of the territorial government; then, a police outfit drove up to them. Other activists stood at a distance of 50 meters from each other, in their red t-shirts reading: "No to political repression!" said Dmitry Pechinsky.

As a result, all the protesters were detained by policemen, said the advocate Nikolai Fedotov, who is representing the activists. According to his version, the detainees are accused of "violating the order of picketing."

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