Yana Antonova demands to release Pivovarov

Yana Antonova, a Kuban (Krasnodar) activist, has held a solo picket in support of the opposition politician, Andrei Pivovarov, aiming to draw public attention to the start of his trial.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Andrei Pivovarov, a former executive director of "The Open Russia"*, has been kept in custody in Krasnodar since June 2, 2021.

On November 11, the Leninsky District Court of Krasnodar will begin considering on the merits a criminal case under the article of activities of an undesired organization initiated against Andrei Pivovarov, Yana Antonova has stated; she has held a solo picket in Andrei's support in the centre of Krasnodar.

Antonova believes that Pivovarov is not guilty of the imputed crime.

"I treat the Pivovarov's case as arbitrariness and a shame for Krasnodar. They brought one of the federal politicians to try him here and make our city absolutely undemocratic. The trial of Andrei Pivovarov in Moscow or Saint Petersburg could become the event of the year. While in Krasnodar, as authorities hope, it will pass quietly and unnoticed," Yana Antonova has concluded.

*The activities of two organizations registered in Great Britain that contain the words "Open Russia" in their names, have been found undesired in Russia by the Russian General Prosecutor's Office (GPO).

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on November 9, 2021 at 06:35 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.