Antimilitarist Radical Association

Moscow, October 22, 1998

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION: SIX MONTHS OF IMPRISONMENT CONDITIONALLY AND AMNESTY TO SERGEJ SARYCHEV

Yesterday, October 21, the Golovinskij intermunicipal court of Moscow has taken out a verdict on case of Sergej Sarychev, adherent of ARA and conscientious objector accused on the Art. 328.1 of the Russian Federation Criminal Code (evasion from a military service). Sergej Sarychev is found guilty and is sentenced to imprisonment for the period of six months conditionally. According to the verdict, the amnesty is applied to him and he is exempted from the responsibility.

Statement of Nikolaj Khramov, secretary of ARA:

``The verdict, which was passed for Sergej Sarychev by the judge Luchkin is nothing as rough infringement of the Constitution of Russia. Yet on May 22, 1996 the Constitutional Court of Russian Federation has determined, that the actions of a recruit achieving realization of his constitutional right on conscientious objection and on this basis refused to be sent to the barracks, do not represent a crime. I am convinced, that flagrantly unjust and unlawful verdict of the Golovinskij court will be cancelled by the Moscow City Court. As for us, we shall continue to do our best to develop mass civil obedience campaign having as our goal complete actual dismantle of draft system while State Duma persistently counteracts the federal law on alternative civilian service.''

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