MOSCOW, November 21 (RAPSI) – Following a ruling of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), the Supreme Court of Russia has resumed proceedings in a criminal case against opposition activist Stepan Zimin convicted of participation in the Bolotnaya Square riots in central Moscow in 2012, his attorney Dmitry Agranovsky has told RAPSI.

Orders on extension of Zimin’s detention have been overturned. However, a 3.5-year sentence given to the activist has been upheld, according to the lawyer.

Recently, ECHR found violation of Article 3 (Prohibition of torture), Article 5 (Right to liberty and personal security), Article 11 (Freedom of assembly and association) of the European Court of Human Rights in relation to Zimin and other Bolotnaya case defendant Alexey Polikhovich in the context of their detention conditions and placing in glass and metallic cages during court hearings. The Court awarded 12,500 euros to Zimin and Polikhovich each. However, ECHR did not find violations of a “political” Article 18 (Limitation on use of restrictions on rights) of the Convention.

Over 400 people were arrested, and scores were injured in the authorized Bolotnaya Square protest that turned violent in May 2012. Dozens were later charged with inciting mass riots and battery against law enforcement officers.

Riot organizers Leonid Razvozzhayev and Sergey Udaltsov were sentenced to 4.5 years in prison each. Other defendants in the case received prison terms ranging from suspended sentences to four years. Several defendants were pardoned; two activists were sent to compulsory mental treatment.

Zimin was released on parole in June 2015.