APPEAL FOR FREEDOM!

To The General Procurator

To The Procurator of Krasnodar Region

To The Federal Service of The Russian Federation For Drug Control

To The Administration of The Federal Service For Drug Control in Krasnodar
Region


On May 12, 2004 antifascist, anarchist and independent journalist Alexey
Cherepanov was arrested in the russian city of Krasnodar by officers of the
state drug enforcement agency and sent to jail for 9 days. They had placed
one gramm of Marihuana on him and arrested him for “disobediance
against officers of the drug enforcement agency”. Further drugs
– 24 gramms of marihuana and 2 gramms of heroin – were
“found” during a police raid, when the officers broke into his
appartment without any legal search warrant and in absence of the arrestee
himself, as well as of any whitnesses (of which by russian law two are
necessary to be present in any legal raid). Then on May 24 he was arrested a
second time and is now sitting in Krasnodar jail, while
“investigations” are under way. He is being accused of
“possession of drugs” (Paragraph 228, Part 1, Criminal Act).
This man who never used to take any drugs, might now be facing a three year
jail sentence for a crime he never committed.
The prosecution of political dissidents has tradition in Krasnodar. We are
sure, this case of Alexey Cherepanov is of purely political origin. The drug
enforcement agency is just acting on behalf of the secret service FSB who
want to get a grip on the political activist. There is no other explanation
for the high interest in Alexej’s political activities during the
police questionings and for them taking all the anarchist literature and
press from his home.
We demand:
The immediate release of Alexey Cherepanov and the end of all criminal
investigations against him as well as of any state prosecution against
anarchists in Krasnodar.

FREEDOM FOR ALEXEY CHEREPANOV!

Anyone of us could be sitting there in place of Alexey Cherepanov. If you
want to support Alexey or any (potential) future vicyims of state
repression, subscribe to this appeal for freedom and participate in the
protest campaign! His (main) trial has begun - the first hearing took place
recently - and will be continued in irregular intervals. It is impossible to
say, how long it might be going on for; your support is neccessary NOW!!!

Send your protest faxes to the fax number(s) below or speak out or get
information on the phone:

Sovyetskiy Rayon Court, Krasnodar
Phone (and fax?): (8612) 31-67-78

Tatyana Andreyevna Rudakova
(juridical support)
mobile phone: 8-916-455-20-96
phone: (8612) 64-27-00

Ivan Kuligin (Alexey’s lawyer)
fax: (8612) 32-74-65

The international code for Russia has to be added to all numbers!

Further information:
 lager_perm@mail.ru