This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/08/bolotnaya-trial-moscow-man-sentenced-psychiatric-treatment

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Bolotnaya trial: man sentenced to indefinite psychiatric treatment Bolotnaya trial: man sentenced to indefinite psychiatric treatment
(34 minutes later)
A Moscow court sentenced a 37-year-old man to an indefinite term of forced psychiatric treatment on Tuesday afternoon, in a case that rights activists say is wholly fabricated and part of a crackdown on the street protest movement that has emerged in the past two years. A Moscow court sentenced a 37-year-old man to an indefinite term of forced psychiatric treatment on Tuesday in a case that rights activists say is wholly fabricated and part of a crackdown on the street protest movement that has emerged in the past two years.
Mikhail Kosenko was one of 28 people arrested over clashes during a rally in central Moscow last May, the day before Vladimir Putin was inaugurated for a new presidential term. Although police officers were injured that day, the court heard testimony that Kosenko was not involved in the violence. Mikhail Kosenko was one of 28 people arrested after clashes during a rally in central Moscow last May, the day before Vladimir Putin was inaugurated for a new presidential term. Although police officers were injured, the court heard that Kosenko was not involved in the violence.
The conviction for "calling for mass riots" comes despite the fact that video footage from the protest appears to show that Kosenko simply stood by during scuffles between police and protesters. Additionally, the police officer who is named as the only victim of the case, Alexander Kazmin, refused to identify Kosenko as the person who attacked him. "I do not know this person," he told the court during a hearing over the summer. The conviction for "calling for mass riots" came despite video footage showing Kosenko as a bystander to scuffles between police and protesters. Additionally, the officer named as the only victim in the case, Alexander Kazmin, refused to identify Kosenko as the person who attacked him. "I do not know this person," he told the court during a hearing over the summer.
The trials of those arrested over the scuffles on 6 May 2012 have become known as the "Bolotnaya affair", after the central Moscow square in which the clashes took place. Late last year, Maxim Luzyanin was sentenced to four and a half years in prison for his part in the protest, while a further 27 people are also due to receive sentences of up to 13 years if convicted for taking part in, or provoking, mass disturbances. The trials of those arrested over the scuffles on 6 May 2012 have become known as the Bolotnaya affair, after the square in which the clashes took place. Late last year, Maxim Luzyanin was jailed for four-and-a-half years for his part in the protest, while a further 27 people face sentences of up to 13 years if convicted of taking part in, or provoking, mass disturbances.
Putin said recently he could not rule out an amnesty of those involved in the case, which analysts say has been pursued with such zeal in order to discourage street protests against the regime.Putin said recently he could not rule out an amnesty of those involved in the case, which analysts say has been pursued with such zeal in order to discourage street protests against the regime.
Kosenko's case has appalled rights activists who say it is unclear why he was held separately in psychiatric care during his detention, a punishment that echoes the Soviet practice of confining dissidents to mental institutions. Kosenko was not even allowed out to attend the funeral of his mother, who died while he was incarcerated.Kosenko's case has appalled rights activists who say it is unclear why he was held separately in psychiatric care during his detention, a punishment that echoes the Soviet practice of confining dissidents to mental institutions. Kosenko was not even allowed out to attend the funeral of his mother, who died while he was incarcerated.
Kosenko suffers from a psychiatric disorder that resulted from concussion sustained during his military service but has received outpatient treatment for his condition for more than a decade and never fallen foul of the law. Nevertheless, the court decided he was not of sound mind and should be confined to a psychiatric ward. During his final words to the court he said he was of sound mental state. Amnesty International has declared him a prisoner of conscience.Kosenko suffers from a psychiatric disorder that resulted from concussion sustained during his military service but has received outpatient treatment for his condition for more than a decade and never fallen foul of the law. Nevertheless, the court decided he was not of sound mind and should be confined to a psychiatric ward. During his final words to the court he said he was of sound mental state. Amnesty International has declared him a prisoner of conscience.
In the packed courtroom on Tuesday, Judge Ludmila Moskalenko murmured her way through the verdict for two hours, beads of sweat dripping onto her black gown and her voice frequently drowned out by chants of "freedom" from the hundreds of people gathered in the street outside the courtroom.In the packed courtroom on Tuesday, Judge Ludmila Moskalenko murmured her way through the verdict for two hours, beads of sweat dripping onto her black gown and her voice frequently drowned out by chants of "freedom" from the hundreds of people gathered in the street outside the courtroom.
"If someone has committed a terrible crime and is not mentally stable, then there is nothing wrong with psychiatric treatment," said Oleg Orlov, the chairman of Memorial, a leading human rights organisation, outside the court. "But in Kosenko's case, the evidence proved absolutely 100 percent that this man had nothing to do with the crimes he is accused of. He did not hit or kick anyone.""If someone has committed a terrible crime and is not mentally stable, then there is nothing wrong with psychiatric treatment," said Oleg Orlov, the chairman of Memorial, a leading human rights organisation, outside the court. "But in Kosenko's case, the evidence proved absolutely 100 percent that this man had nothing to do with the crimes he is accused of. He did not hit or kick anyone."
Orlov added he had grave doubts about whether Kosenko's medical condition really required forced treatment, given he had been living a normal life for years.Orlov added he had grave doubts about whether Kosenko's medical condition really required forced treatment, given he had been living a normal life for years.
Those present to show their support for Kosenko included members of the protest movement who had been at Bolotnaya Square on the day of the protest as well as a number of older Soviet-era dissidents, some of whom had themselves been subjected to forced psychiatric treatment for their opposition to Soviet power. The veteran dissident and human rights campaigner Ludmila Alexeyeva left the courtroom in tears.Those present to show their support for Kosenko included members of the protest movement who had been at Bolotnaya Square on the day of the protest as well as a number of older Soviet-era dissidents, some of whom had themselves been subjected to forced psychiatric treatment for their opposition to Soviet power. The veteran dissident and human rights campaigner Ludmila Alexeyeva left the courtroom in tears.
After she had finished reading the sentence, the judge left the courtroom amid shouts of "Shame on you!" and "Send her to prison!"After she had finished reading the sentence, the judge left the courtroom amid shouts of "Shame on you!" and "Send her to prison!"
Kosenko was led away in handcuffs by police. He will now begin indefinite forced psychiatric treatment in a secure unit, until he is deemed to have "recovered".Kosenko was led away in handcuffs by police. He will now begin indefinite forced psychiatric treatment in a secure unit, until he is deemed to have "recovered".
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.