Belgorod activist achieved acquittal overturned in administrative case for picketing

The Belgorod Regional Court canceled the termination of administrative cases against two activists for a picket in support of independent candidates for Moscow City Duma deputies. this . reports “7×7”

On August 17, Yuri Polyakov and Andrei Ruban took turns at the picket with a banner with the inscription “There is real hell in Moscow!! People are being beaten with batons! Dragged into paddy wagons! People chant: We are for love! Allow it! Night searches, arrests of parliamentary candidates. The authorities stole the elections from Muscovites! From now on, we ask the only question to those in power and their guardians: “How do you live without honor and conscience?” Oppositionists also distributed leaflets.

against them Four days later, protocols were drawn up for organizing the action without filing a notification (Part 2 of Article 20.2 of the Code of Administrative Offenses). The document stated that the activists stood too close to each other, so the action could not be considered a single picket.

The Oktyabrsky District Court of Belgorod dismissed Ruban’s case on the grounds that he had a diagnosis of schizotypal disorder, so he might not have been aware of his actions. Polyakov was also acquitted, since at least two participants in the action are required to constitute an administrative offense under this article.

Ruban and the Ministry of Internal Affairs appealed the court's decision. The activist assured that, despite the diagnosis, he received permission to own weapons and worked as a security guard, so he is fully capable. “I want to be acquitted as sane, I was not declared insane,” the oppositionist explained.

The court overturned the decision of the first instance to terminate the administrative case against Ruban. Following this, the acquittal in the Polyakov case was also cancelled.