13 July 2024, 18:49
Lawyers point to rights violation of Sochi activist Atamanchuk
Vladimir Atamanchuk, a Sochi activist, was unable to obtain information from the investigator as to which exactly his words became the reason for initiating a criminal case for contempt of the court. The absence of this information in the resolution to open the case is contrary to the law, lawyers have stated.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that a case of contempt of the court was brought against Atamanchuk based on a complaint from the victim in a libel case. Vladimir treats the new case as a continuation of persecution for his pacifist position.
On November 11, 2023, investigators closed the case of discrediting the Russian Armed Forces against Atamanchuk, but opened a new criminal case against him, this time on libel. One of the victims filed a lawsuit demanding 100,000 roubles from Atamanchuk as compensation for the suffered moral harm. Vladimir treats the case as fabricated; and this March, he stated about the forgery in the protocols of court sessions. On April 12, 2024, the court sentenced the 72-year-old Atamanchuk to 200 hours of compulsory labour.
Vladimir asked for a copy of the victim's statement in the previous case initiated by Valery Baev in order to understand what the latter had treated as contempt of the court, but he was refused.
“I didn't utter any abusive or obscene words against Baev. I only expressed my value judgment about him,” Vladimir Atamanchuk has emphasized.
An insult is an indecent form of speech, which is a mandatory sign of this offense, said Irina Zheltukhina, an advocate. In her opinion, there were no indecent statements in Atamanchuk’s speech.
Sergey Kostyuk, another advocate, has also pointed out that investigators always wrote in their resolutions exactly what words or actions were offensive and disrespectful. Examinations were also conducted in order to define whether there was an insult or a value judgment; no liability is envisaged for the latter.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on July 11, 2024 at 00:08 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
Author: Kristina Romanova Source: СK correspondent
