Denis Levkin has been imprisoned since February 2013. He was detained
when the police stormed the squatted warehouse near the former
Varshavsky Station in St Petersburg, Russia, and charged under article
318 part 2 of the Russian Criminal Code (use of violence dangerous for
health or life against an officer). St Petersburg anarchists have taken
an active part in occupation and defence of the warehouse, and the St
Petersburg Anarchist Black Cross cannot ignore the trial in Levkin's
case, which is now under way.
On February 4, 2013, activists with city preservationist groups have
issued an open call for St Petersburg residents to come to the
historical warehouse to protect it from being razed. One of those who
responded to the call was Levkin, a 19-year-old scenester. We are not
aware of his participation in any anarchist actions before. During the
storming of the warehouse later the same month, two police officers were
injured, and naturally they wanted to find a culprit. It is not clear
why they chose Levkin. According to the eyewitnesses, he did not commit
any active moves.
We do not know who actually injured the police, nor would we tell if we
did. It is not fitting for anarchists to snitch on people and help the
coppers, and shame be on those who do that. Besides, even if the person
who inflicted the injuries is found, Levkin's fate will not be made any
easier. The case includes five carbon-copied statements by police
officers who "saw" that Levkin inflicted the blows. Neither the
prosecutor nor the court can allow to admit that they police are lying.
Two people would end up in the dock in this case.
St Petersburg Anarchist Black Cross states that the authorities are
committing yet another crime by trying to imprison an absolutely
innocent man. The trial may end before the end of the year. Levkin faces
a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.
Next court session is scheduled to 2 p.m. on November 26, at St
Petersburg's Leninskiy District Court (13-ya Krasnoarmeyskaya street, 17B).
Our account on Yandex Money is 41001160378989
(https://money.yandex.ru/topup/card/?from=imainanycard). If you wish to
support Denis Levkin specifically, please mentioned that when
transferring funds.
St Petersburg Anarchist Black Cross, November 20, 2013.
As Yandex Money is a little known system outside former Soviet Union,
you may also donate via ABC Moscow, guidelines are available here:
http://wiki.avtonom.org/en/index.php/Donate.
Source:
http://avtonom.org/en/news/varshavsky-warehouse-squat-case-st-petersburg-anarchist-black-cross-statement-criminal-charges
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