Defenders of Krasnodar embankment are outraged by fines

Vitaly Cherkasov, an activist, and Alexander Safronov, a member of the Krasnodar City Duma, continue collecting signatures against the construction of a temple on the embankment and intend to appeal against the fines imposed on them. According to the activists, they have collected more than 3000 signatures.

On September 25, law enforcers detained Safronov and Cherkasov while they were collecting signatures against the above construction. Both were accused of violating the rules for organizing a public event and fined by 25,000 roubles each.

"We regard everything that happened during our detention as political repressions and a method of pressure," Alexander Safronov has stated.

In his video appeal, Vitaly Cherkasov has noted that "any signature collector" could be fined under a similar reason in connection with a collective appeal to authorities. "We are being punished and deprived of the right to appeal to the governor demanding not to destroy the green zone," the activist has emphasized.

Yuri Gudkov, an advocate, has confirmed that it is unlawful to charge the activists with violating the rules of holding a public event, since what they did had no signs of a rally or picket.

According to Yana Antonova, an activist, due to authorities' pressure on the activists, the collection of signatures is not progressing so quickly, although the majority of townspeople are against the destruction of the green zone.