On 17 August, Mikhail Iosilevich was released from pretrial detention following his lawyers’ petitions to the investigator and court. He was arbitrary held on remand since January for allegedly threatening a witness in the case – the claim proven by the experts’ reports to be unfounded. His prosecution for alleged cooperation with an “undesirable” organization is ongoing and the trial might start in September. Mikhail Iosilevich is being targeted for peacefully exercising his rights to freedom of expression and association. Charges against him must be dropped and he must be able to continue his peaceful activism without fear of prosecution.
