News

Yesterday, on July 3, several cities of southern Russia hosted protest actions against Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), which were organized by the regional branches of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF). The protest actions were attended by representatives of other social and political movements. Most of the supporters of the protest actions believe that Russia's accession to the WTO will ultimately destroy the national economy and deteriorate the social and economic situation in the country.

Today, in Volgograd, at the trial on bribery in the GIBDD (road police), during interrogation, witness Nikolai Lazarev retracted his testimony, which he gave at the preliminary investigation. The trial was postponed till July 23 due to vacation of one of the lawyers.

The Committee on Rules and Organization of Work of the State Duma recommends it to agree to deprive of his parliamentary immunity Vladimir Bessonov, the MP from the Rostov Region, accused by investigators of rendering resistance policemen during the pre-election rally, held on December 2, 2011, in Rostov-on-Don.

Levan Datuashvili, Director of the "Crystal" Company, was detained by the police of the Isani-Samgori District of Tbilisi, which investigated the leak of chlorine in the territory of one of the private enterprises in the dwelling settlement of Saknavti. As a result of leakage, 73 persons suffered.

Today, in Yerevan, near the building of the National Assembly, a protest action was held, which participants demanded to convene an extraordinary session of the parliament on the recent incident at the "Harsnaqar" Restaurant. The participants of the protest action voiced demands to institute criminal proceedings against Ruben Airapetyan, ex-MP, the owner of the "Harsnaqar" Restaurant.

Today, the Central District Court of Volgograd cancelled the decision of the magistrate court on imposing a fine of 800 roubles on Nikolai Belikov, who participated in the gathering, held on June 6 against the decision of the State Duma of the Russian Federation on increasing penalties for unsanctioned protest actions.

The judge's decision to dismiss a claim on protection of business reputation, filed by Andrei Krasnenkov, the lawyer of the Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, is fair. This was stated by representatives of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial". Andrei Krasnenkov is surprised by the judge's decision and intends to challenge it.

In Azerbaijan, new criminal charges under Articles of treason and inciting ethnic hatred were filed against Ghilal (Hilal) Mamedov, the editor-in-chief of the newspaper "Tolyshi Sado" (Voice of Talysh) and the deputy head of the Talysh Cultural Centre. This was reported by Rafiq Djalilov, co-Chairman of the "Committee to Protect Hilal Mamedov' Rights".

Instigator of the shooting with Azerbaijanis in the Borisoglebsk District of the Yaroslavl Region is a staff member of the Russian FSB. This was reported by a source at the law enforcement agencies. He underwent craniotomy, and after that the man was brought to a Moscow clinic.

On July 3, anti-personnel landmine of World War II was discovered in the territory of a school in Stavropol, where summer school camp located. This was reported by a representative of the Unified Dispatching Service of Civil Defence and Emergencies of the city administration.

Yesterday evening, July, 3, unidentified people fired upon a car of ex-officer of State security guard service of South Ossetia Irbeg Beteev in Tskhinvali. Three persons got wounded.

During a trial of July, 2, on the case of Avaz Zeinalov, Editor-in-Chief of "Khural" newspaper, the Court of Baku for grave crimes heard the evidence of the main claimant, Deputy of the Parliament Giulyar Ahmedova and one on the aggrieved persons, Director of "Azerbaijan" publishing house Agabek Askerov.

On July, 3, four persons held pickets near Astrakhan Kremlin as a sign of protest against closedness of information about restoration works carried out there. One of the picketers, Alexander Kirpichenko, was detained.

On July, 1, the village of Krasny Kurgan of the Malokarachay District of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (KBR) hosted an interregional festival "Ayran Holiday-2012", which was attended by about 3000 persons.

The criminal case against Hilal Mamedov, the editor-in-chief of the Azerbaijani newspaper "Tolyshi Sado" (Voice of Talysh) and the deputy head of the Talysh Cultural Centre, was fabricated to punish him for his active civil position and human rights activities. This was stated at a press conference by members of the "Committee to Protect Hilal Mamedov's Rights", established in Baku. They published an appeal to the head of state, requesting to express his attitude to the arrest of the activist.

Today, on July 3, at a rally, Rostov Communists called on all residents of the region to actively protest against Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Three officials of the Zelenograd district administration of the Rostov Region became figurants of the case of embezzlement of half of the money, allocated by the regional budget for the schoolchildren's summer holidays.

Today, in the Tver District Court, at the trial on the lawsuit, filed by Andrei Krasnenkov, the lawyer of the Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, against the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial" on protection of business reputation, plaintiff and defendant voiced their positions. The judge has noted that she should examine the materials of the case and postponed the meeting till 09:00 a.m. on July 4.

The body of Rustem Valiullin, the human rights defender and the lawyer, who was well-known for resonant cases involving Muslims and who disappeared in the Altai Territory, was found in a mountain river. This was reported by associates of the deceased man. Till present, the Ministry for Emergencies (MfE) of the Altai Republic has confirmed their report.

Ruben Airapetyan, the MP from the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), the owner of the "Harsnaqar" Restaurant, gave up his deputy mandate because of the incident in his restaurant, which caused death of a visitor.