Memorial Human Rights Centre

Olga Komarova and Tatyana Kharlamova were charged under the Article 282.2 (taking part in activities of extremist organizations) of the
Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (CCRF), in connection with their participation in a peaceful demonstration that took place in the hall of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on July 2, 2008. On January-February 2012 it became clear that the criminal prosecution would go ahead. At that time the prescription for the minor offense allegedly committed by Komarova and Kharlamova ran already out in July 2010. The pretext to continue the proceedings was that the defendants were allegedly on wanted list and were hiding from the investigation. Meanwhile, the decision to put them on the wanted list was signed by the investigator after the expiration of the limitation period. During the time they were allegedly on wanted list, the police repeatedly detained