HUMAN RIGHTS INFORMATION AGENCY "EXPRESS-CHRONICLE"

ENGLISH WEEKLY NEWS DIGEST

17 May 1997

MOSCOW (ARA) Moscow's Meshchansky Intermunicipal Court denied ARA member Sergei Dolzhansky the right to substitute alternative civilian for military service, as guaranteed by article 59, part 3 of the Russian Constitution. Dolzhansky refused to perform military service at the enlistment office on 17 October last year. Then, despite his wish to perform alternative civilian service, members of the enlistment commission resolved to send him on military service. After this, Dolzhansky appealed in court against the illegal actions of the commission. On 26 November last year Judge Irina Shikanova of the Meshchansky Intermunicipal Court ruled to grant Dolzhansky's appeal, but the Moscow Municipal Court quashed the ruling and ordered its re-examination. On 13 May Judge Suleymanova of the Meshchansky Court ruled to deny Dolzhansky his appeal against the actions of the enlistment commission.