Roman Roslovtsev walks on Red Square

posted 16 May 2016, 22:49 by Rights in Russia   [ updated 16 May 2016, 22:50 ]
"Roman Roslovtsev has been jailed for 20 days for taking a walk in a mask depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin, but could face a prison sentence of up to 5 years. Since this is the fourth time within half a year, he is now liable for prosecution under the draconian new Article 212.1 of the criminal code. The brave young Russian is in fact challenging the authorities to bring criminal liability for repeatedly violating his right to walk around the centre of Moscow in a Putin mask. The 20-day administrative arrest sentence was passed on May 16 by the Tverskoy Court in Moscow. Roslovtsev’s ‘offence’ had been to walk out onto Red Square wearing the above rubber mask of Putin and a T-shirt stating “I’m not afraid of Article 212.1. On previous occasions Roslovtsev has held a placard with the same words. The judge chose to agree with the police that this constituted a violation of Article 20.2 of the Code of Administrative Offences, namely the procedure for organizing or holding meetings, demonstrations, marches or pickets. Since the court ordered that the mask be destroyed, it was clearly this that was deemed to constitute an ‘offence’."

- Halya Coynash  

Photo: Human Rights in Ukraine


Text source: Halya Coynash, 'Russian Activist Jailed & Could Face 5-year Sentence for Wearing a Putin Mask,' Human Rights in Ukraine, 17 May 2016
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