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Vladimir Akimenkov is one
of 27 people who are currently on trial because of their
involvement in the mass demonstration on 6th of May
2012. On that date, immediately before President Putin's
inauguration, about 100,000-120,000 people took part in
a peaceful protest in Moscow. The police suddenly
blocked the way to Bolotnaya (Swamp) Square where the
SANCTIONED march was to terminate thus provoking a clash
with the protesters. Then the police announced the
demonstration was cancelled and immediately attacked the
protesters, beginning to disperse them with the aid of
batons and tear gas. As a result, approximately 600
people were arrested on the spot, hundreds were injured.
Criminal charges were initiated not against the unlawful
police officers but against the lawful protesters for
participating in mass disorder and acts of violence. 27
people were selected by the authorities to serve as
examples in a theatre of show-case prosecutions.
Vladimir Akimenkov, an activist of 'Left Front', was
arrested on 10th of June 2012. He suffers a congenital
illness of the eyes and can barely see therefore the
original accusation against him of "throwing a peace of
concrete targeting a particular officer" was so patently
false that even the prosecution dropped that charge.
During
Akimenkov's detainment in a dark cell his eyesight has
deteriorated dramatically: one eye is now left with 10%
vision and the other – 20%. His lawyers have repeatedly
asked the court to change his conditions of imprisonment to house
arrest; several prominent people in Russia have offered
bail. However, according to the words of the judge,
"this is not sufficient, for release on health reasons
complete blindness is required".
To
those who come to support him in the court he repeatedly
says: "Please support everyone, I am not in the worst
situation".
Released under amnesty 19.12.2013
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