"Memorial": leader of "Women of Don" prosecuted for political reasons

On August 30, the Rostov Regional Court dismissed the complaint filed by the defence of Valentina Cherevatenko. Thus, the Court has confirmed the legality of the decision to institute criminal proceedings against the leader of the "Women of Don". The Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial" treats the prosecution of Valentina Cherevatenko, the leader of the organization "Women of Don", as politically motivated.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on May 4, 2014, the Novocherkassk Court obliged the Union "Women of Don" to get registered as a foreign agent. After the Union "Women of Don" had been included in the register of foreign agents, Valentina Cherevatenko created a foundation under the same name in order to avoid enforcement of the law on foreign agents, reports the investigator's resolution on institution of criminal proceedings.

According to members of the HRC "Memorial", this is the first case in Russia when a criminal case is opened against an NGO leader for failing to recognize the organization as a "foreign agent."

The HRC "Memorial" treats the Law "On foreign agents" as anti-legal and immoral. The human rights defenders believe that the prosecution of Valentina Cherevatenko is politically motivated.

"It is part of the campaign led by the state against NGOs, which dare to criticize the authorities," notes the human rights defenders' appeal.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.