Olga Soldatova’s and Olga Zazulya’s Detention

Region: Krasnodar 
Threat type: detention, threat of administrative prosecution 

On 5 February around 5:50pm, Olga Soldatova, an activist of the Environmental Watch of the North Caucasus, held a solo picket near the central police department in support of Igor Kharchenko.

Soldatova stood with a sign near the gate of the police station, where the detention facility in which Kharchenko is being held is located.

Olga Zazulya observed the picket from a distance and took photos. After some time, police approached Soldatova and demanded that she end the picket.

At the same time, Zazulya was approached by senior police lieutenant Nikolai Vasilievich Zhuravlev, who ordered her to stop taking photos and provide proof of permission for taking photos of the fence surrounding the station. Zhuravlev immediately ordered her inside to provide this proof, warning that if she was not able to, then he would have to cite her. According to the policeman, the police station was a facility of special significance, and that taking photos without permission from the Ministry of Interior is prohibited. The police ordered Soldatova into the police station as well.

In the station, police spoke with Soldatova and Zazulya, but did not present their identification, despite the women’s requests. The women wrote statements, after which they were released from the station.

Figurants: Olga Soldatova, activist of the Environmental Watch of the North Caucasus, Olga Zazulya, independent observer. 
Links: http://ewnc.org/node/13532

As the Olympic Torch Arrives in Krasnodar, Russian Environmental Activists are Detained by the Police

As the Olympic Torch arrived today in Krasnodar, Russia, the capitol city of Krasnodar Region of Russia, the police were busy detaining peaceful environmental activists from Environmental Watch on the North Caucasus (EWNC).  On Monday the 3rd and Tuesday the 4th of February, the police detained seven members of the organization.  All but one were released yesterday, but Evgeniy Vitishko, who was wrongfully arrested and sentenced to a three year suspended sentence in 2012, was re-arrested as he awaited the appeal of his trial on February 22nd.  Accused of hooliganism at a public bus stop, the 51-year old activist was arrested and sentenced to 15 days in jail, a clear sign from the authorities that those who speak out against the environmental damage caused by the Olympics in Sochi will be punished.

Igor Kharchenkos detention

 

Today, in a separate incident, Igor Kharchenko of EWNC, was arrested again by the police after his car was vandalized. When he and other members of EWNC approached the car, police handcuffed him, took him into custody and charged him with disobeying a police officer. He will spend tonight in jail.

 

EWNC is one of the few environmental groups in Russia to speak out openly against the numerous environmental and human rights problems associated with the Olympic games—destruction of old growth forests, devastation of homes of local residents, and numerous other violations.

 

EWNC has not only monitored the preparation for the Olympics, but also monitors and protects environmentally fragile areas throughout the North Caucasus, and has identified numerous areas where oil and gas companies drill in protected areas, public officials flagrantly violate environmental law for their personal benefit, and international conventions including those to protect endangered species, migratory birds, and world heritage sites are ignored by the Russian authorities and the international institutions designed to protect them.

 

Crude Accountability recently wrote to the International Olympic Committee, explaining the threats to EWNC, and, specifically, to Evgeniy Vitishko, asking the IOC to use its authority to protect these peaceful activists from the threats against them, which are clearly connected to their outspoken criticism of the environmental and human rights violations associated with the preparation for the Olympic Games.  Unfortunately, the response from the IOC was that the incidents in question were not “related to the Olympic Games.”

 

The events of the past week are related to the Olympic Games.  The Russian authorities are doing everything they can to subdue the voices of peaceful protest.  And, rather than demonstrating their “might,” the authorities are demonstrating the power of the voices of truth, actions of non-violent protest, and the spirit of those who stand up to authority.  Environmental Watch on the North Caucasus and all those who speak the truth in these dark days deserve our support and our solidarity. 

For more information about Crude Accountability and our partnership with Environmental Watch on the North Caucasus: http://crudeaccountability.org/campaigns/taman/

Evgeny Vitishko’s Detention and Arrest

Region: Krasnodar Krai, Tuapse 
Threat type: detention, administrative arrest 

On 3 February, Evgeny Vitishko walked out of the Tuapse penitentiary administration building and was detained by police at a nearby public transportation stop.

Vitishko was initially detained on suspicion of theft, after which he was taken to the police station. There, he was accused of swearing at the stop, something that falls under article 20.1 of the Russian Federation’s administrative violation code (petty hooliganism).

His hearing was held later that day at the Tuapse municipal court. The environmental activist filed a petition for legal representation, which the court struck down, insisting that Vitishko accept the court-appointed defense lawyer, but Vitishko refused. The court even rejected the call to bring in two witnesses whose signatures are on the witness statements to testify for Vitishko.

Around 6pm, Judge Oleg Kalimanov sentenced Vitishko to 15 days in jail. Vitishko is appealing this decision.

The environmental activist was taken to the detention facility for the Tuapse District to carry out his sentence.

Figurants: Evgeny Vitishko, council member of the Environmental Watch of the North Caucasus 
Links: http://ewnc.org/node/13496, http://ewnc.org/node/13497, http://hro.org/node/18615

Detaintion of Igor Kharchenko and Olga Soldatova

Region: Dinskiy area of Krasnodar region
Type of threat: stopping of car, inspection of car, identification of driver's condition, detaintion, threat of administrative persecution. 

In the evening on February 3 Igor Kharchenko drove the car, Olga Soldatova was his passenger. The car was stopped by the road police near Novotitarovskaya village (suburb of Krasnodar). The policemen said that there had been a call to the police from some citizens who had told about a strange driver. Igor Kharchenko was identified by the police as sober.

The the policemen said that activists were supposed to be accused in some offences, arrested and brought Olga Soldatova and Igor Kharchenko to the police office (Dinskiy area of Krasnodar region). Four activists (Anna Mikhaylova, Alexey Mandrigelya, Denis Pestretsov and Tatyana Borisova) tried to get to this police office but they also were arrested on their way (read more: http://sochi2014watch-en.blogspot.ru/2014/02/activists-of-environmental-watch-on.html)

Igor Kharchenko was interrogated by the head of the criminal police of Dinskiy area, who called himself "Ivanov Ivan Ivanovich" although according to the nameplate on the door of his office his name was Scherbakha Gennadiy Vasilyevich. Kharchenko says that Scherbakha was rude and tried to take Kharchenko's phone against his will. Activists Kharchenko and Soldatova were asked about their plans for the next day (on February 4 in Krasnodar was held the relay of the Olympic flame).

Activists were released about 2 am on February 4. No reports on delivering or detaintion were drawn, no prosecutions were started.

Figurants: Olga Soldatova, Igor Kharchenko
Activists of "Environmental Watch on North Caucasus"

Links: http://www.ewnc.org/node/13501, http://www.kavkaz-uzel.ru/articles/237644

Activists of "Environmental Watch on North Caucasus" were detained

Region: Krasnodar
Type of threat: inspection of the car, detaintion, threat of administrative persecution.

In the evening on February 3 in Krasnodar (Rostovskoe roadway, police checkpoint #5) Denis Pestretsov's car were stopped by the road police. Policemen said that the car was supposed to be involved in some offense. The policemen checked documents of the driver and passengers of the car, inspected the car and drew up a report of the inspection.

During the inspection the policemen took away the documents of the passengers. One of the policemen also clutched Tatyana Borisova by her hand, told the passengers that he was armed and was going to draw up a report, according to which the passengers would be accused in disobedience of a lawful order of the policeman (The Code on Administrative Offences, article 19.3)

The passengers (Anna Mikhaylova, Alexey Mandrigelya, Tatyana Borisova) and the driver Denis Pestretsov were brought to the Kalininskiy police office in Krasnodar. Policemen asked Alexey Mandrigelya several questions, other activists were not questioned. The policemen said that policeman from the criminal police were going to come there "to hold an educational conversation" with activists but no such conversations were held then.
Activists were held at the checkpoint and in the police office more than 3 hours. No reports on delivering or detaintion were drawn. In the report book of the police office false information about time of delivering was fixed. About 3 am on February 4 all the activists were released.

Figurants: Anna Mikhaylova, Alexey Mandrigelya, Tatyana Borisova,  Denis Pestretsov
Activists of "Environmental Watch on North Caucasus"

Links: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGYCMEtSPpE, http://www.ewnc.org/node/13503

A precautionary chat with Alexander Drook

Region: Voronezh, Voronezh Oblast
Threat type: repression

On 16 January, Alexander Drook of the Youth Rights Movement was called by the dean of the physics department at Voronezh State University, where he is a student. The dean asked Drook to come to his office the next day in order to discuss issues related to his studies. On 17 January, around 2pm, the rights activists came to the dean’s office, but was told that FSB agents wanted to speak to him instead.

They told Alexander that they wanted to speak to him in a room of the security services. An agent identified himself as Lietenant Colonel Alexey Mikhailovich Kulikov. Kulikov was interested in the possible planning of rights-related events that might interfere with the Olympic events in Voronezh, in particular on 18 January.

Kulikov told Drook that there is negative information in the media about rights activists, and mentioned the names of other Voronezh activists. Kulikov also asked about the general activities of rights organisations that Drook is a member of – the Youth Rights Movement, and the Voronezh Oblast Youth Council on Human Rights. After this, Kulikov spoke to Drook about his family, saying that the neighborhood he lives in is “dangerous”. Kulikov asked Drook if he could meet with him from time to time and call him on his cell phone.

During this conversation, Drook asked Kulikov not to summon him secretly anywhere or to meet at the House of Human Rights or during official events where other rights activists would be present, including to discuss the activities of rights organisations or security in the region as a whole. Rather Drook asked Kulikov to only send written requests and to summon him in an official capacity.

Figurants: Alexander Drook, chairman of the Voronezh Oblast Youth Council on Human Rights, International Youth Rights Movement, House of Human Rights - Voronezh