Glastnost Foundation

(Moscow) The trial of the leaders of PORTOS youth organization is being held today, March 25 in Moscow City Court, which has repeatedly postponed prior hearings.

Unlike the pro-Putin still-born organizations, this public organization has been quickly gaining in popularity and has provoked the anger of the authorities, who chose to close it by the usual scenario: A Special Police unit raided its offices, looted all the property, and arrested the leaders.

Now they are charged with organizing an illegal armed formations (possession of officially registered shot gun and gas pistols), kidnapping and torture and creation of a totalitarian sect. All charges are absolutely unsubstantiated.

When the defense lawyer asked the investigator why his clients had been accused of creating an illegal armed formation, the investigator responded that any group of persons which possesses any piece of firearms, including a shotgun, falls under this provision. It will be interesting to see if that view is shared by the Moscow City Court.