"EcoWatch" treats judgement on Vitishko’s case as "half-measure"

The issue of Vitishko release from colony may be delayed again, the "Ecological Watch for Northern Caucasus" (EcoWatch) expressed its concern commenting on the yesterday's decision of the Tambov Regional Court.

Evgeny Vitishko, an activist of the "Ecological Watch on for Northern Caucasus" (EcoWatch), is serving his sentence under the case of damaging, in 2011, the fence around the territory, known as the "dacha" of Alexander Tkachov, who was then the Governor of the Krasnodar Territory. Violations of Vitishko’s rights by administration of the colony, where he is being kept, were stated by his colleagues from the "EcoWatch" and rights defenders.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on October 8 the Tambov Regional Court satisfied the complaint, lodged by the Vitishko’s defence against the refusal to replace his remaining term in colony for restriction of freedom. The court ruled that the issue of mitigating the punishment should be re-examined by the first instance court. The Regional Court also overturned the lower court's decision to reject Vitishko’s amnesty.

"Despite the positive decision of the appeal instance, the situation with Evgeny remains unsolved. Now, the chances for his release, of course, have appeared, but the Regional Court could have made the appropriate decision itself already on October 8," Andrei Rudomakha, the coordinator of “EcoWatch”, gave his comment to the "Caucasian Knot".

The "EcoWatch" treats the decision of the Tambov Regional Court as "half-measure" and fears that Vitishko’s release from colony will be again delayed.

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