Court punishes Rostov activist for solidarity picket

Svetlana Sviderskaya, a resident of Rostov-on-Don, intends to challenge the ruling of the Oktiabrskiy District Court of the city, which has fined her today by 20,000 roubles for participating in a picket, not coordinated with the authorities.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on June 12, oppositional activists of Rostov-on-Don held a picket in one of city's "Hyde Parks" – in Lenin Square – to express their solidarity with the political prisoners. The picketers represented the RPR-Parnas Party, the movements "Left-Wing Front" and "Russian Civil Union", as well as independent civil society activists. The picket passed peacefully, without incidents and detentions.

"Six days later, the Prosecutor's Office of the Oktiabrskiy District suddenly became anxious about the fact that a non-coordinated picket had taken place in 'Hyde Park'. I was served a presentation of the Office; on the demand thereof an administrative protocol was drawn up; and the case has reached the court," Svetlana Sviderskaya told the story to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

"Judge Elena Krat found me guilty and sentenced to a fine of 20,000 roubles," said Sviderskaya, who intends to appeal against the judgement.

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