Court in Krasnodar dismisses complaint against arrest of Gritsevich

The ruling of the Sochi District Court about a three-day arrest of Anna Gritsevich, a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent, on charges of disobeying police, has been upheld today by the Krasnodar Territorial Court. Anna's advocates now intend to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), Alexander Popkov, one of the advocates, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

"The judge has, virtually without any proceeding, consideration of submitted motions and watching the video records, upheld the ruling of the first-instance court," said Popkov.

According to Anna Gritsevich, she had no hopes for any "objective, fair and legitimate consideration." She criticized Sochi bosses, noting that city officials get beyond the scope of their authorities and "hand out instructions about what professionals from mass media should be admitted or not to these or those mass events."

Ms Gritsevich and her advocates intend to appeal to the ECtHR immediately upon receipt of a reasoned decision passed by Tatiana Palyanchuk, the judge of the Territorial Court. Ecologist Vladimir Kimaev also told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent about his intention to appeal against the ruling of the Territorial Court on his case after receiving the motivation part.

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