Translated by Ollie Richardson & Angelina Siard

20:50:02
28/11/2018

uspishna-varta.com

On November 27 hearings on the case of the journalist Pavel Volkov, who spent over a year in a pre-trial detention center on a charge of state treason for his professional activity, came to an end in the Shevchenkovsky court of the city of Zaporozhye.

During the hearings the videos presented by the prosecutor’s office that allegedly prove the guilt of the journalist were seen on November 26-27. In particular, at the court session on November 26 a fragment from a rally in Zaporozhye in 2013 and also an interview with Pavel Volkov filmed at the office of the “Ukrainian Choice” social movement in 2012, in which historical and cultural and philosophical questions were discussed, were shown. The topics discussed during this interview include the Mongol-Tatar invasion, Ivan the Terrible’s reign, European reformation, and Suvorov’s campaigns. The most “provocative” thing said during this entire interview is a single mention of Friedrich Engels.

During a hearing on November 27 the prosecutor’s office showed videos of an authorised protest rally against riots at the beginning of February 2014. The 40-minute video captures the episodic speeches of Volkov, who declared the inadmissibility of provocations and the capture of office buildings, and also called protesters to order. Also, in the video Volkov supported carrying out democratic elections within the timeframe established by legislation.

The defence noted that the case file contains evidence that is not relevant to the prosecution. The indictment refers to 2015-2016, and the materials of 2014 can’t be considered as proof within these criminal proceedings. According to the lawyer Vladimir Lyapin, the actions of the prosecutor are designed to drag out the process.

During a hearing the court rejected the defence’s motion to recognise the inadmissibility of the computer-technical examinations and the protocols of the search. Referring to a lack of time, the court postponed the question about the inadmissibility of proof and returning equipment, which Volkov’s lawyers also filed a motion for, until the next hearing on January 9 2019.

On November 22 and 23 the head of the board of “Uspishna Varta“ Nataliya Natalina spoke at a session of the UN Forum concerning human rights, democracy, and the rule of law in Geneva, during which she reminded foreign diplomats and UN officials about Pavel Volkov’s case.

As a reminder, the journalist Pavel Volkov was arrested on September 27, 2017 and was kept in a pre-trial detention center for over a year. For his professional activity he is accused under part 2 of article No. 110 of the – infringement on the territorial integrity of Ukraine (by a group of persons) and article No. 258-3 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – other complicity to terrorists. On October 25, due to the lack of grounds for extending the preventive measure of Pavel Volkov, the court released the journalist from custody. Due to the replacement of the judge, consideration of the evidence attached to the case started from the beginning.

The case of Pavel Volkov is continuously being monitored by the “Uspishna Varta” human rights platform.

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