The prosecutor in Lubov’s “sanitary case” had demanded a conviction with two years’ imprisonment.
–
The restrictions imposed on Sobol are to be at home from 10 pm to 6 am, to ban participation in mass events and to leave Moscow and the Moscow region. She must also come to the inspection three times a month to take notes.
–
Commenting on the judgment after the hearing, Sobolis emphasized that the case was considered fabricated. “There are no victims in the case, no people in the case who have been ill with the coronavirus and went to protest at my call,” Sobolla said.
–
She added that there was no evidence in the case file or in any video record that she or other defendants had called for a violation of sanitary norms. “There was an invitation to take to the streets. But it is impossible to incite a circle of indefinite people,” Sobolis said.
–
On January 23, uncoordinated protests by the authorities in support of the detained Navalny took place in Moscow and several other Russian cities.
–
After the actions, law enforcement agencies initiated several criminal cases, including violations of sanitary-epidemiological norms, use of violence against the authorities, and hooliganism.
–
In connection with these criminal cases, Navalny’s closest associates, including his brother, as well as political activists, were detained or searched.
–
Human rights defenders point out that the Russian authorities are very selective in their assessment of the protesters’ actions.
–
Many mass events of supporters of power have taken place in Moscow, but no charges have been brought against their participants, activists point out.
–
In the “sanitary case”, the accused categorically reject the accusations and explain that their purpose is to obstruct their participation in the State Duma elections.
–
In June, Sobolis announced that he was withdrawing his intention to run in the upcoming Duma elections in September.
–
Sobolis has made this decision following a Moscow court ruling declaring Navalny-affiliated organizations extremist, thus preventing their members from running in any election.
–
In justifying his decision, Sobolis said he could not guarantee the safety of his campaign supporters, employees and sponsors, who could be prosecuted for “supporting extremism.”
— .
