Volgograd Regional Court upholds RUB 150,000 fine on Galina Tikhenko

The Volgograd Regional Court has upheld the ruling to fine Galina Tikhenko, a participant in actions in defence of the Volga-Akhtuba Floodplain by 150,000 roubles.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on July 23, the Krasnoslobodsky District Court found Galina Tikhenko guilty of repeated violation of the rules for holding a picket at a gathering in defence of the Volga-Akhtuba Floodplain and fined her by 150,000 roubles. This decision was appealed at the Regional Court. On August 25, the latter began considering the appeal against the fine. The defence presented proofs of falsification of the protocol against Tikhenko, on the basis of which the fine had been imposed, the public defender has stated.

According to explanations by Galina herself, there was no fact of the group picketing on July 7; she committed no offense; and she cannot be held responsible for the actions of an unknown woman who raised her poster behind Galina. The explanations note that Galina could not see the woman standing behind; and she couldn't hear the woman. Tikhenko also stated that she is a Category III disabled person by hearing; and her eye disease didn't allow her to see the woman standing behind and react to her actions.

However, in the end, the Regional Court has upheld the decision of the first-instance court.

The defence intends now to turn to the cassation court.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on September 17, 2021 at 04:56 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.