21 June 2013, 18:56
RWB: case of Sochi journalist Yarst needs additional inquiry
The international NGO "Reporters Without Borders" (RWB) has demanded to transfer the investigation into another region and hold additional inquiry into the case of the independent journalist from Sochi Nikolai Yarst, accused of possession and transportation of drugs.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Nikolai Yarst was charged with illegal possession of narcotic drugs; and on May 25 the court ruled to restrict his freedom by recognizance not to leave, but on June 3 changed in into home arrest for a period of two months. On June 15, the Sochi Court refused to change his measure of freedom restriction.
"Yarst’s latest story implicated the Sochi police, a member of which had also had a personal argument with him, so the utmost care is needed. The best way to get at the truth would be to order an additional investigation and assign it to someone else," says the RWB's statement.
The document also notes that "the allegations by Yarst's lawyer of serious procedural violations must be taken into account."
Let us remind you that on June 10 Sochi journalists asked the Russia's Public Prosecutor General and the head of the Investigating Committee of the Russian Federation to "stop the fabrication of a criminal case" against Nikolai Yarst.
