Center for Civil Society International ([email protected])
Fri, 30 Oct 1998 11:06:34 -0800 (PST)
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 30 Oct 1998 17:31:56 +0100
From: The Bellona Foundation <[email protected]>
Subject: Nikitin's case goes to Strasbourg
Next step in the Nikitin process
================================
Nikitin case goes to Strasbourg
---------------------------------
Aleksandr Nikitin and his lawyers are going to file a complaint to
Russia's Supreme Court. Also, they are preparing to take the case
to the European Human Rights Court in Strasbourg. This was announced
on Friday�s press conference in St. Petersburg
"Although the court decision was anticipated, we have still decided
to appeal to the Supreme Court, and to the international court of
human rights in Strasbourg," said Schmidt, "because we will follow
our principles to the end. We want an end to this strange system that
a court can make a third decision, which is neither guilty nor acquitted."
Frederic Hauge emphasised that what he had seen in the court, gave
support to Judge Golets� credibility. "By taking this case now to
the European court, we hope to add one more to our list of victories.
It is a violation of human rights to not acquit the defendant when no
crime can be proved."
Adding to this, legal advisor Jon Gauslaa said that the preparations
for taking the case to Strasbourg had been going on since May this year.
"Nikitin�s rights to have his case tried within reasonable time are
violated. His movement is still restricted. Our possibility to have the
case accepted and then won are huge," said Gauslaa.
"Yesterday, those present witnessed a historical event," said chief
defender Schmidt, "when the City Court returned the case of
Aleksandr Nikitin to the prosecutor. Never before in Soviet or
Russian history did this happen to a KGB or FSB-initiated case
of alleged treason through espionage. This means that three years
of efforts from FSB, their three investigative teams and the
prosecutor�s office, were dismissed. All their alleged evidence
was found lacking. The case contains 22 volumes of paper. There
have been seven charges. Despite FSB�s attempts at making a
quality product, they failed, said Schmidt. "We are talking about
a very large victory - and our enemies� complete defeat."
Asked about his feelings right now, Aleksandr Nikitin said, "I�m
a normal person, and I have been anticipating this outcome of
the trial. The judge too is a normal person; he could not do
anything else. I feel no stress, but rather happiness. I�m in
normal working state," Nikitin assured.
The Nikitin-case in short
-------------------------
Aleksandr Nikitin is charged with espionage and disclosure of
state secrets while working for the Bellona Foundation. He was
arrested by the FSB on February 6, 1996, after writing two
chapters for a Bellona report on the risks of radioactive
pollution from Russia's Northern Fleet. He was held in pre-trial
detention until December 14, 1996, and has been officially
restricted to the city limits of St. Petersburg since his
release from custody.
More info: http://www.bellona.no/e/russia/nikitin/
Print quality pictures available for download.
Please disseminate this information further or make a
link to the above URL, thank you.
Regards, The Bellona Foundation
----------------------------------------------------------------
Fax: +47 22383862 Phone: +47 23234600
Snail mail: BELLONA, Box 2141 Grunerlokka, N-0505 Oslo, Norway
Email: [email protected] WWW: http://www.bellona.no/
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