Russia’s supreme court has overturned the conviction of jailed opposition activist Ildar Dadin and ordered his release.
Russia’s supreme court has overturned the conviction of jailed opposition activist Ildar Dadin and ordered his release.
The 34-year-old was sentenced to three years in prison – reduced to two and half years on appeal – in 2015 for breaking strict new laws banning demonstrations.
Dadin was jailed for a series of peaceful one-man protests against the Kremlin.
Last month, more than 40 activists were arrested in Moscow after they held a rally calling for his release. The protest came after Dadin said he had been subject to beatings by guards while in prison in north-west Russia.
Authorities refuted the activist’s torture claims, though later moved him to another jail.
Wednesday judgement came after Russia’s Constitutional Court ordered a review of Dadin’s conviction earlier this month, arguing the law criminalising certain types of protest had to be applied more proportionately.