Chechen separatists' web site author sentenced to compulsory medical treatment

On May 7, the court of the town of Rybinsk, Yaroslavl Region, found Andrei Novikov, author of the "Chechenpress" separatists' web site, guilty of public appeals to extremist activities (Part 1, Article 280, of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). The judicial hearing itself took place on May 4, Boris Krein, coordinator of the committee in support of A. Novikov and an activist of the Rybinsk organization of the "Yabloko" Party, has reported to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

According to Mr. Krein, since an earlier judicial-psychiatric examination had found a schizoid disorder in the publicist, he was exempted from punishment and directed to compulsory medical treatment at the Rybinsk Psychiatric Clinic. Convict's father has stated his disagreement with the verdict and intention to appeal against it to the cassation instance.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported earlier that according to the SOVA Information and Analytical Centre, the Office of Public Prosecutor had found appeals to extremist activities in the electronic letters sent by Novikov from his "Chechenpress" to the editorial board of the "Zolotoye Koltso" (Golden Ring) Yaroslavl-based newspaper.