Moscow anti-fascists amnestied (Russia)

From 325.nostate

“On Friday 10th of January Basmanniy district court of Moscow ceased criminal case against Alexey Olesinov, Alexey Sutuga, Alyon Volikov and Babken Guskasyan.

All four were accused of “hooliganism”, a criminal offense which is included in the amnesty bill, approved as a PR stunt on initiative of Vladimir Putin himself in advent of the Sochi Winter Olympics – most known amnestied political prisoners being 30 detainees of the Arctic Sunrise ship of Greenpeace, and two imprisoned members of Pussy Riot. Four anti-fascists had also other, less severe charges which fall under statutes of limitations.

Alexey Olesinov

Olesinov and Sutuga were released under traveling restrictions last summer, after more than a year in a custody. They, and Volikov who was only released last Friday were accused for having clashed with the far-right security of “Vozdukh”-club in Moscow in December of 2011 during a concert.

Guards claimed that guests of the concert had vandalized club property, they expelled audience and took some of the organizers as hostages, where waiting for their associates “to arrive in order to collect compensation for damages”. Organizers attempted to leave the venue, and guards opened fire with rubber bullets. In the resulting clash, guests of the concert prevailed.

Alexey Sutuga

Russian political police force “Center of counteraction against extremism”, exploited this case in order to have two known anti-fascists, Sutuga and Olesinov detained. Originally they were also accused of another case, where a 16-year fascist was beaten up having made a Nazi salute, but eventually only Volikov and Gukasyan were charged for this incident.

Young Nazi gave testimony against Olesinov and Sutuga, although both had an unquestionable Alibi. This is not the only case, in which a Nazi victim has given false testimony against known anti-fascists when it is unclear who has committed actions. Volikov and Gukasyan were also amnestied for these charges.

Goals of the process which has now finished were much wider than investigation two fights. For example Alina Kosolovskaya, who was interrogated as a witness of the case, was mostly asked questions about known anti-fascist Alexey Gaskarov, who was arrested last April for completely unrelated case of inauguration riot of Vladimir Putin 6th of May 2012.

Of those accused of the inauguration riots, only 4 were released under the amnesty bill, whereas 13 are still in custody (Gaskarov amongst them), two in home arrest, five under travelling restrictions and two have been sentenced. Two members of the “Left front” party are facing the most serious charges of “organising a riot”, although video footage and plenty of witnesses have provided testimony that clash had been prepared by the police.

Another Moscow anti-fascist Irina Lipskaya was also amnestied 27th of December. She was accused of two assaults against far-right concerts in years 2011 and 2012. In the same week three anti-fascists from Nizhni Novgorod were amnestied, criminal process against them proceeded for almost three years.

However, two activists from Nizhni Novgorod were forced to flee the city and hide from officials, and thus they still face charges and are not amnestied. Also, anti-fascist Igor Hartchenko, who was given a three and half years prison sentence in August in Moscow for having defended a concert against far-right attack in July of 2011 remains in prison.

Of course, not only anti-authoritarians are being amnestied. There are no overall statistics on how many people are being amnestied, estimates vary from thousands to tens of thousands. Many political prisoners of the far right have been amnestied as well.

For example 16 Nazis who attacked anti-nuclear protest camp in Angarsk in summer 2007 and beat anarchist Ilya Borodaenko till death were also charged with “hooliganism”, and thus they are now amnestied. Russian officials tend to define far-right political violence as “hooliganism”, which is why even serious crimes of Nazis are often sentenced with hooliganism charges.

But besides all faults, amnesty bill is a proof that the current Russian regime is not immune to a political protest. Due to terrorist threat, Sotchi Olympics will take place in atmosphere of military occupation and economically they are a disaster. But Olympic games and other such international projects are also a reason why Russian government is still worried for its public image, and reacts to political pressure.”

Anti-Fascist Prisoner News from Russia (repost)

Support Dmitri Zvanko, anti-fascist prisoner from Brest (Belarus)

Anarchist Black Cross Belarus

June 18th, 2013

Dmitri Zvanko – is anti-fascist from Brest. He was arrested 9th of May 2013, as one of 5 anti-fascists who were suspected of fighting with far-right activists the day before. Arrested anti-fascists were beaten up and put under psychological pressure by cops, Dmitri filed a complaint about his treatment although he was pressured not to do so.

On the 19th of May four of the arrested were released, but Dmitri was charged with statute 339.3 of the Belarusian criminal codex (malicious hooliganism with a group of people), which carries a prison sentence from 3 to 10 years.

Lawyers are afraid that statute 147.2 (grievous bodily harm) may be added, which would mean a prison sentence between 5 and 10 years.
For support for the legal costs of the arrested, contact ABC-Belarus:
belarus_abc(A T)riseup.net

Address for support letters:
Dmitri Nikolayevich Zvanko
SIZO-7, ul. Sov. Pogranichnikov 37
Belarus

Send a letter online:
http://abc-belarus.org/?page_id=579&lang=en

Alexey Sutuga released pending trial (Russia)

Alexey Sutuga

19th of June Moscow city court accepted appeal of criminal investigators to release Alexey Sutuga trial pending with a condition of a bail.

Three Moscow anti-fascists, Alexey Olesinov, Alexey Sutuga and Alyon Volkov have been were arrested since February, April and November of 2012 respectively, charged for accusation of Hooliganism (statute 213 part 2 of Russian criminal codex), for events of 17th of December 2011 in club Vozdukh.

During anti-fascist concert far-right supporting security attacked spectators, and claimed anti-fascists having initiated the violence. Later on, all three were charged with additional case of beating up a young fascist 4th of December 2011 (statute 111 of Russian criminal codex, grievous bodily harm).

Alexey Olesinov

However in May of 2013 anti-fascists managed to clear charges of grievous bodily harm, which was the most serious of the charges. Due to this, it was possible to appeal for a release of suspected comrades. 7th of June Moscow city court released Olesinov without a bail. Unlike Olesinov, Sutuga has no permanent residence in Moscow, which is why bail money was gathered for him.

Such a measure was proposed by the investigators. In court, defence presented documents of having 600 000 rubles in bank accounts, however investigators demanded 700 000 (16 600 euros). Defence lawyers confirmed that parents of Alexey may provide the missing 100 000.

Irina Gaskarova, mother of anti-fascist Alexey Gaskarov who is currently detained as one of the suspects of the “Bolotnaya case” pending from anti-inauguration riot against president Putin, said that she may provide Sutuga a permanent Moscow residence in her flat in the city of Zhukovskiy in Moscow region, so that Sutuga could be released without bail.

However, court only agreed to release on bail. All the necessary documents will be provided 20th of June when Sutuga might be released.

Third accused for Moscow case of anti-fascists, Alyon Volkov, is still remanded.

Stay up to date with Russian anti-fascist prisoners here

Anti-fascist Pavel Krivonosov from Nizhni Novgorod needs help!

From avtonom.org

Last autumn, a longstanding case against Nizhni Novgorod anti-fascists was returned to investigation, and for a while it seemed like a final victory. However, in contrary to these expectations, the case returned to court this spring and things do not look too good.

Pavel Krivonosov is one of the accused of the fabricated case. He is a social activist, a musician and anarchist. As the set-up has been going for a while, number of charges passed the statute of limitations and were tossed out from the court – political “extremist” charges included.

However, he is accused still according to part 2 of the statute 213 of the Russian criminal codex (hooliganism committed with a group of people), which carries a maximum sentence of 7 years in prison.

It is not doubt that this case was fabricated by Nizhni Novgorod officers of Center of Counteraction Against Extremism (so-called E-center). Even the Nazi victims of the assault could not recognise Pavel as the assaulter. Prosecution has one single witness, a taxi driver who is providing false testimony and claiming that assaulter was Pavel.

Pavel has an alibi, he was at work, and his employer has testified to prove this. Case of Pavel has been substantiated with a number of other expertises as well. It is obvious, that Pavel did not committed this crime. Repressions against him are motivated solely by his social activism. Currently he is in a need of money to finance legal costs, and we are happy for any kind of help!

Fake “membershop card of Antifa-RASH”, planted to Pavel during search of his home.

Anarchist Black Cross of Nizhni Novgorod

You can transfer money to support the anti-fascists in the Kazan-Moscow ABC fund via paypal: abc-msk@riseup.net

Please always write to abc-msk@riseup.net how much and what kind of goals you send money. Also you can use “Western Union” or bank transfer, for this please write to the abc-msk@riseup.net . We would be grateful for any help!

Original link

Write letters to anarchist and anti-fascist prisoners of Moscow!

Kharchenko Igor Olegovich
FKU SIZO-2 UFSIN Rossii po g. Moskve
ul. Novoslobodskaya d. 45
127055 Moskva Russia

Igor was arrested in September 2011. He is accused of having participated in a fight on the 4th of July 2010, during which the audience of a punk hardcore concert dispersed a band of nationalists, who had come in order to kill and maim concert guests.

Igor, however, did not take part in the fight – plenty of those present at the concert have given testimony, that during the fight Igor was performing in the concert. The whole case against Igor relies exclusively on the testimony of failed “race warriors”, V. Sumin and V. Zhidousouv.

The true reason for the arrest of Kharchenko is an attempt by Moscow investigators to take revenge on their failure to jail anyone for the action by anti-fascists against the Khimki city administration on the 28th of July 2010.

Igor’s co-accused is Denis Solopov, one of the “Khimki hostages”, who has received refugee status in Western Europe after UNCHR recognised, that the police investigation on the Khimki case was carried out with various violations,  for example confessions gained through use of torture.

Moscow investigators ignored the fact, that during this fight Solopov was in Turkey, which is confirmed by the stamps in his passport, and plenty of eye-witnesses.

The investigation also attempts to indict Kharchenko for “organising of an extremist community,” according to statute 282.1 of the Russian criminal codex.

More on the case against Kharchenko:
http://avtonom.org/en/people/igor-kharchenko

Butyrka prison has also a form, which you may use in order to send letters:
http://wr1.fsin-service.ru/Letter-Client/main.html#new_letter
However, this form is only in Russian and paying for the service (minimal payment is around 1.20 euros) requires either a Russian bank account or account in some internet payment system, common in Russia (such as yandex.dengi or webmoney). In form, you must indicate year of birth of Kharchenkio – 1991.

Sutuga Alexey Vladimirovich
FKU SIZO-2 UFSIN Rossii po g. Moskve
ul. Novoslobodskaya d. 45
127055 Moskva Russia

Alexey Sutuga has been a member of Autonomous Action since the early 2000s. He was first active in Irkutsk and then in Moscow. He participated in every single major campaign of the anarchist movement in the past ten years, and supported the journal Avtonom.

In 2007, he joined the ecological protest camp against uranium enrichment in city of Angarsk in Siberia, which was assaulted by nationalists in the early morning hours. Ilya Borodaenko from Nahodka of Pacific Ocean was murdered there, and a number of other visitors of the camp were seriously wounded.

Alexey was arrested on the evening of 17th of April, and has been in remand prison since then. He, together with Alexey Olesinov, is accused of having taken part in an incident in the Moscow club “Vozdukh”, where on 17th of December, during a punk-hardcore concert, a conflict between the audience and the security took place.

The club security, consisted of supporters of the far right, and were provoking guests. Due to the conflict, the concert was stopped prematurely, but the security attempted to take some guests hostage, threatening them with punishment from their friends – nationalist football hooligans. Concert guests resisted, the security opened fire with rubber coated metal bullets, but soon the concert-goers gained the upper hand and the security was neutralised and sent to the hospital.

More on the case of the Moscow prisoners: http://avtonom.org/en/mda

The Butyrka prison also has a form which can be used in order to send letters:
http://wr1.fsin-service.ru/Letter-Client/main.html#new_letter
However, this form is only in Russian and paying for this service (minimal payment is around 1.20 euros) requires either a Russian bank account or an account with some internet payment system, common in Russia  (such as yandex.dengi or webmoney). In the form, you must indicate year of birth of Sutuga – – 1986.

Full list of prisoners in former Soviet Union by Anarchist Black Cross of Moscow:

http://wiki.avtonom.org/en/index.php/Category:Prisoners_in_former_Soviet_Union

source

Solidarity with Alexey Sutuga!

 From http://inter.antifa.ru

Alexey Sutuga, anarchist, anti-fascist and member of Autonomous Action, was arrested on Tuesday evening, April 17, in Moscow. The arrest took place during a fundraising effort in support of anti-fascist prisoners.

It was learned almost after a day after the arrest that Alexey is now in Remand Prison No. 2, also known as Butyrka Prison.

The police accuse him of the same crime as anti-fascist *Alexey Olesinov, who has already been in custody for a month — complicity in the incident at the Moscow club Vozdukh, on December 17, 2011, when neo-Nazis working security attacked concert goers and then blamed anti-fascists for this assault.

Voluntary donations for the support of anti-fascists in detention, particularly Alexey Olesinov and Igor Kharchenko, were collected in downtown Moscow on April 17. The event was organized by activists of the anti-racist human rights initiative Direct Help. About fifteen people, including Alexey Sutuga, showed up for the event. Two police officers approached the group at 8:30 p.m., according to witnesses. They identified themselves and asked why there were so much garbage around the bench where everyone was gathered.

The police then asked everyone present to show their documents. When people refused to show them, two plain clothes officers appeared instantly out of nowhere, followed shortly by five or six of their colleagues.

One of them presented his ID, muttered something to the effect of “Criminal Investigation Department, guys,” and said, “Get him!” Police officers obeyed him, grabbing Alexey and leading him off towards the highway.

The plain clothes officers immediately followed them, no longer paying any attention to the rest of the crowd, although they had promised to arrest all those who had no documents and take them to a police station. Among those who arrested Alexey was the well-known Moscow FSB agent Yevgeny Platov, better known as “Zhenya the FSB Guy.” (You can read more about him and his persecution of Moscow anarchists here, in Russian: http://avtonom.org/news/feisy-vs-anarkhisty-kak-boitsy-nevidimogo-foront…)

It’s worth noting that a group of anarchists, including Alexey, had been detained a week earlier by the same plain clothes officers, but were released without charges.

Sutuga’s family and friends did not know of his whereabouts for almost twenty-four hours: he didn’t answer his phone. Information about his whereabouts was only released on the evening of April 18. It was reported that he is in Butyrka Prison and, apparently, Basmanny District Court quickly sanctioned his pretrial detention.

He has been charged with “hooliganism” (Article 213, Part 2 of the Russian Federation Criminal Code). The press service of the Moscow police reported that Alexey Sutuga has been charged in connection with the same case as Alexey Olesinov.

Recently, it became known that police are attempting to fabricate a second criminal case against Olesinov. On April 17, police confronted him with a young man who claims to have been attacked by Alexey on December 4, 2011, although on this day Olesinov was posting articles on the Internet. (For more details, in Russian, see: http://ru.indymedia.org/newswire/display/26512/index.php.)

As a member of Autonomous Action has explained, “The case against the well-known anti-fascist Alexey Olesinov, now remanded, has been investigated for several months and is now collapsing. It seems that the human rights campaign in support of Olesinov has begun to irritate the police. If they had something on Sutuga, they would have followed the legal procedures for this case. And it turns out that they have just arrested a person and held him incommunicado for almost a whole day. It looks as if the police have wild imaginations.”

For more information about the incident at the Vozdukh club, see:

https://avtonom.org/en/people/aleksei-olesinov

For information about persecution of other anarchists and anti-fascists in Moscow, see:

https://avtonom.org/en/people/antti-rautiainen

http://anarcho-news.info/news-534 (in Russian)

Funds are urgently needed to defray Sutuga’s legal expenses. You may donate through Anarchist Black Cross of Moscow. Instructions are available here:

http://wiki.avtonom.org/en/index.php/Donate

_____

Editor’s note. This appeal was originally published, in English, on the Autonomous Action web site. It has been slightly edited to make it more readable.

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Updates

*Moscow anti-fascist may become permanently disabled in pre-trial detention

*Police places pressure on relatives and friends of jailed Russian antifascists. Your support is needed