07 June 2004, 17:12
Court declares authorities' actions against rights activists illegal
On June 3, the Tagansky District Court of Moscow satisfied a claim by executive director of the Movement for Human Rights Lev Ponomarev and declared actions of Deputy Prefect of Moscow's Central Administrative District Mr Zaytsev illegal. The matter concerns Mr Zaytsev's refusal to consider a notification filed by human rights activists in early February about the holding of a meeting to mark the 60th anniversary of the deportation of the Ingush and Chechen peoples.
On February 23, the human rights activists staged a picket at the Solovetsky Stone on Lubyanskaya Square in Moscow instead of the meeting, but it caused the authorities' aversion. The picket was dispersed, 15 people being detained by the OMON special police force. Later, three organizers of the action were fined for participation in the unauthorized action. Deputy Prefect Mr Zaytsev refused to consider the notification he received on February 9 under the pretext that the Moscow Government carried a resolution on February 17 assigning some streets and squares in Moscow (Lubyanskaya Square not included) for holiday celebrations. The human rights activists can demand now that the decisions about the fines be annulled.
Editors note: See also the articles "Activist sues Moscow government", "Administrative cases against antiwar picket organizers considered in court".
Source: All-Russian Public Movement "For Human Rights"
