14 March 2008, 11:30
Mikhail Kriger, opponent of actions by power authorities in the North Caucasus, to pay a fine of one thousand rubles
Mikhail Kriger, one of the leaders of the Anti-war Club (AWC) protesting against the RF oppression policy in the North Caucasus, is sentenced to pay a fine of one thousand rubles.
Galina Demidovich, magistrate of Moscow' Basmanny district, found him guilty of taking part in an unauthorized "Disagreement March" under RF Code of Administrative Offences, Article 20.2, para.2.
"It is an abuse of common sense. I am very much surprised that the muddled evidence of the militiaman has outweighed more or less logical evidence of the other witnesses", stated Mikhail Kriger to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent after the magistrate's judgment had been announced.
Olga Mikhailova, the defendant's lawyer, intends to appeal against the decision of Ms Demidovich, magistrate of court section No 359. She calls it obviously illegitimate and doubts the magistrate's independence.
The other charge against Kriger on failure by him to abide by the legitimate requests of a militia officer (RF Code of Administrative Offences, Article 19.3, para.1) before the arrest, has not been considered today because the materials on the case have not yet arrived from the Krasnoselski district militia unit. Under this article, the anti-war activist may be placed into custody for up to 15 days.
Author: Vyacheslav Feraposhkin, CK correspondent
