Participants of protest in Beslan sentenced to public works

Today, in Beslan, the court has found three women involved in a protest action and a woman who was standing next to them, guilty of violating the order of holding rallies.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on September 1, in Beslan, the police detained five women who came to a protest action, dressed in T-shirts with accusations against the President of Russia. The detained participants of the action were charged with disorderly conduct. The action was filmed by Elena Kostyuchenko, a special correspondent of "Novaya Gazeta", and Diana Khachatryan, a reporter from the edition named "Takie Dela" (Such Matters), who were taken to the police station together with the protesters.

The number of the women who came to the protest action included Ella Kesaeva, whose daughter was taken hostage, but survived, Emma Betrozova, whose husband and two sons were killed in the terror act, Zhanna Tsirikhova, who herself was taken hostage together with her two daughters, one of whom was killed, Svetlana Margieva, who was also taken hostage with her daughter, who died in her arms, and Emilia Bzarova, whose son was killed in the terror act.

Tonight, the court has finished the trial against the women who held the protest action in Beslan. Svetlana Margieva, Ella Kesaeva, and Emilia Bzarova were sentenced to 20 hours of public works, since they were unable to pay the fine, the newspaper "Novaya Gazeta" reports.

Fatima Tsirikhova, who was not involved in the action, but who was standing next to Emma Betrozova at the moment of her detention, was also sentenced to public works for standing "in the group of the women" and "voiced statements." Emma Betrozova and Zhanna Tsirikhova were sentenced to the fine of 20,000 roubles.

According to the newspaper, the women are going to appeal against the court's decision.

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