27 June 2019, 11:04
Rights defenders criticize Savostin's conviction
The court was to acquit Mikhail Savostin, the head of the "People's Veche (Council) of Mineralnye Vody", since no proofs of his guilt were presented; the conviction was politically motivated, the human rights defenders interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" have stated.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on June 26, a court in the city of Mineralnye Vody convicted Mikhail Savostin of drug dealing and sentenced him to 3.5 years of conditional imprisonment.
Mikhail Savostin himself claims that the drugs were planted on him. The examination found no drugs in his blood. Forensic experts have also confirmed that bodily injuries were inflicted to Mikhail during his detention. The Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial" declared Mikhail Savostin to be a political prisoner.
The court judgement is political, like the case itself, otherwise Mikhail Savostin would have been acquitted, Alexei Kursish, the chairman of the "Solidarity" Trade Union of Entrepreneurs, is convinced.
Mikhail Savostin should have been acquitted, Victor Kruglov, the head of the Stavropol Regional Public Organization for the Protection of Human Rights, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.
"Yes, he was convicted conditionally, but this sentence is unjustified. There are no proofs of his guilt," the human rights defender has emphasized.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on June 27, 2019 at 01:55 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
Author: Asya Kapaeva Source: CK correspondent
