Two single pickets were recognized as an uncoordinated rally

The Zheleznodorozhny District Court of Yekaterinburg appointed human rights activist Anatoly Svechnikov 30 hours of compulsory work under the article on participation in an uncoordinated action (part 5 of article 20.2 of the Code of Administrative Offenses) for a solitary picket. This was reported to OVD-Info by the human rights activist himself.

Judge Roman Shevchenko recognized two single pickets in support of political prisoners as part of the monthly action "Strategy-6" as an uncoordinated rally. Svechnikov and another activist, Viktor Baldin, stood with placards at a legal distance of 40 meters.

The meeting was attended by two policemen as witnesses, who allegedly approached Svechnikova and demanded to stop the action. There is no evidence confirming this in the case file, and the picketer himself stated in court that there were no employees.

Earlier, the court ordered the arrest of Baldin in the case of disobedience to a policeman (Article 19.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses) for a rally in support of Alexei Navalny on April 21. He was taken to a hearing on the case of participation in an unsanctioned rally from a special detention center; the lawyer was not allowed to see the activist.

The news corrected the circumstances of the pickets and the articles that were imputed to Viktor Baldin.

• Since 2013, “Strategy-6” actions have been held on Labor Square in Yekaterinburg in support of political prisoners. After the introduction of coronavirus restrictions, activists hold single pickets in different parts of the city. This is the first time in Yekaterinburg that individual pickets are recognized as uncoordinated mass events.