The human rights activist Lev Ponomarev has to stay in prison, however, were granted to him a few days reprieve. Dismissing a Moscow court. The backgrounds are explained to our correspondent Miodrag Soric.
So there is something only in Russia: A satirical poem on the show trial against Lev Ponomarev read out this Friday under the loud laughter of the audience during a hearing break. The lines come from the liberal Russian politician Andrey Babushkin. The preppy, young judge Anna Andrejewa Seliverstowa not get the. She has just moved back, in order to decide on a request by the defense. The lawyers for the 77-year-old human rights lawyer would like to move to a larger courtroom. Finally, dozens of spectators and representatives of the press, the also want to keep track of the “court hearing” wait outside the door. After a 40-minute interruption, the judge rejected the request. You will read the rationale in a record pace, down rattles numerous paragraphs and provisions. After that, the process is continued.
Human rights activist Lev Ponomarev during the process
Lev Ponomarev, human rights activist and head of the NGO “For human rights”, is accused of a Facebook Post is “liked”. It involves an unauthorized Protest. Of ponomarevy “Like” makes him in the eyes of the state of violence to a co-organiser of an unauthorised Demonstration. And that is a punishable offence. A few days ago a court sentenced the well-known Putin critic to 25 days. His lawyers appealed the decision. However, the judge is alone. It is all in one Person: a judge, a Prosecutor and an expert.
Deterrent effect is desired
What was of ponomarevy “Like” on Facebook? Parents had called in social media for the end of October to a Protest. They fought back against the Geheimdiest FSB accuses her children of “extremism”. In their Distress they had turned to Lev Ponomarev. Of the advised, not a Demonstration. A silent March without slogans, Transparent, according to the presented claims was from the Demo. The March was peaceful. He was the Russian intelligence service, however, a thorn in the eye. Because it took place in the vicinity of the headquarters of the FSB. It is only a few Thousand people came. But what if in future demonstrations against the FSB, tens of thousands come from? Process observers suspect that Lev Ponomarev an example. Anyone who criticizes indirectly the secret service, to be intimidated.
Of ponomarevy defender Henry Reznik – one of the most famous lawyers of Russia. Large, with white mane and deep Basstimme he veurteilte the fact that Lew was Ponomarev as a criminal and was thrown into prison. This is illegal and immoral.
Of Ponomarevy Defender Henry Reznik
What means “Like” in Facebook, is not defined by law. The March to the end of October, did not endanger public order. Reznik is relying on the freedom of expression and Assembly, guaranteed by the Russian Constitution. In theory, at least. Most of the roughly 20 listeners in the audience nodded their heads in agreement. You and the accused were framed by eight police officers who paid attention strictly to the fact that neither you nor the judge may be photographed or filmed. According to Russian law, this is forbidden.
The 33-year-old defender Natalia Trubatschowa refers to the fact that the March at the end of October, the police had not intervened. Consequently, the law had not been broken. She and other speakers made it clear that she was motivated by the process politically. Ponomaryov should remain in prison. In particular, that he is not a planned peace March on 16. December could participate.
“As to Soviet times”
The judge rejected the release of ponomarevy. After a four-hour “trial” confirmed the judgment in first instance. Allegedly, for humanitarian reasons, the 77-Year-old at 21. December left the prison. The judgment had been too harsh and had been mitigated. Defender Reznik’s called it still a “disgrace”. The court was like during the Soviet times, the extended Arm of the secret service.
Ponomaryov told the DW that the judge should not decide in all likelihood alone. Other suspect that behind the court’s decision, in reality, the FSB and the presidential administration were. Similarly, the people thinks rights activist Alla Frolova. They also sat in the court room. To the outside is lost in the proceedings against Ponomaryov all in accordance with the law: in a courtroom, with a judge, with defenders, cited paragraphs, applied laws, and witnesses. In reality, it was a spectacle, so Frolova. The judgment, long before the process began, she said to the DW.