Constitutional Court Refuses to Support Demonstrators

The Russian Constitutional Court published its reasoned decision in a case related to public meetings and manifestations. Applicants, several Russian citizens, challenged the constitutionality of the current legislative provisions allegedly allowing local authorities to easily ban undesirable manifestations on farfetched grounds. The Court, believing the legislation is constitutionally fine, refused to consider the complaint on the merits, although pointed out that local authorities’ refusal must be sufficiently well-grounded to be legal. Justice Anatoly Kononov dissented, arguing that the Court “dodged its main duty – the protection of citizens’ constitutional rights and freedoms.”

http://russian-law.livejournal.com/47350.html