Stepan Zimin was denied parole

The Novomoskovsk City Court of the Tula Region denied parole to Stepan Zimin, a prisoner of the Bolotnaya case. This was reported by Mediazona with reference to Zimin’s lawyer Sergei Panchenko.

“All the victims asked to consider the application for parole in their absence, but unexpectedly one of the victims, the Internal Affairs Directorate for the Chelyabinsk Region, sent an objection to the parole. This unit was recognized as a victim because its employees on Bolotnaya lost some radios and helmets there, but it did not even file a property claim,” Panchenko said.

Panchenko also noted that the administration of the colony where Zimin is serving his sentence supported his request for parole. The prosecutor's office objected, citing the fact that Zimin had only one incentive.

“This is what the court referred to when refusing parole, that he only earned one reward in the colony,” the lawyer said.

Stepan Zimin was arrested on June 8, 2012 as part of the Bolotnaya case. He was accused of participating in mass riots that allegedly took place on Bolotnaya Square on May 6, 2012, and using violence against a police officer. Zimin was sentenced to three and a half years in a general regime colony.