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Khodorkovsky makes closing statement Berlin Declaration Rights groups call for end to Yukos trial Council of Europe says governors should be elected Central Elections Commission on abuses TI publishes Index Harassment of Zarema Gasanova Khloponin on role of Western agencies Cruel treatment of children confirmed Police bill published Moscow police to be cut |
Yukos trial Jailed oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky said 27/10 an embezzlement case against him was "utter rubbish" and urged that it be thrown it out in a closing statement at his second trial. (The Moscow Times, 28/10) Amnesty International Germany and German public and cultural figures issued the Berlin Declaration calling on President Medvedev to ensure the observance of the European Human Rights Convention in Russia, the independence of the court system, and an independent review of the criminal prosecutions of Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev. (hro.org, 27/10) Leading international human rights organizations (Freedom House, International League for Human Rights, Human Rights First, Jacob Blaustein Institute for the Advancement of Human Rights, and Human Rights Watch) called on President Medvedev to stop the prosecution of Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev. (BBC Russian, 29/10) Elections The Council of Europe’s Congress of Local and Regional Authorities issued a statement on 28/10 calling on the Russian government to reintroduce direct gubernatorial elections and strengthen local democracy. (The Moscow Times, 29/10) More than 90% of reported violations during Oct. 10 regional and municipal elections were unfounded, the Central Elections Commission said on 28/10. (The Moscow Times, 29/10) Corruption Russia was 154th in Transparency International's 178-country Corruption Perceptions Index. (The Moscow Times, 27/10) North Caucasus The Memorial rights group appealed to authorities on 26/10 about the plight of Zarema Gasanova, a Dagestani journalist who has received anonymous death threats and been harassed by law enforcement agencies. (The Moscow Times, 27/10) Presidential Representative in the North Caucasus, Aleksandr Khloponin, said (26/10) that Western intelligence agencies were trying to destabilize the situation in there. (Newsru.com, 26/10) Children’s rights An inspection of a children's home at the Svyato-Bogoliubsky monastery in Vladimir region conducted at the behest of Human Rights Ombudsman Vladimir Lukin confirmed instances of cruel treatment of children. (Kommersant.ru, 25/10) Police reform The Kremlin has published the entire police bill online — complete with editor's marks. (The Moscow Times, 29/10) Moscow city police chief, Vladimir Kolokoltsev, issued an order cutting the city police force by 12%. (Newsru.com, 28/10) |
