Condolences from the YABLOKO party, 09.06.2014

Yuri Shchekochikhin, a Man with a capital letter, journalist and politician, who made a great contribution to the building of democracy in Russia, was born on June 9. It is already 11 years that he is not with us, but a memory of him will always live in our hearts.

Yuri Shchekochikhin was a vigilante fighter against corruption and he was master of investigative journalism in the true sense of the word. The sole purpose of his work was the truth, rather than bright headlines or one-day sensations. His investigations had always been effective, and therefore especially dangerous for criminals and corrupt officials.

The circumstances of his death left many questions, but his friends and relatives still have not received official answers to them.

Yuri Shchekochikhin wrote in the [oppositional newspaper] Novaya Gazeta about large-scale fraud with smuggling of furniture to the malls Grand and Tri Kita (Three Pillars). The journalist accused of this fraud employees of the Federal Security Service. Yuri Shchekochikhin’s colleagues believe that this investigation, which was the last in the life of the journalist, led to his death.

Yuri Shchekochikhin was journalist of Novaya Gazeta, member of the YABLOKO party, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee for Security, a member of the State Duma Commission for Fight Against Corruption, he left behind articles, books, films and performances. Yuri Shchekochikhin worked on prevention of juvenile crime, and was one of the first in the USSR who drew public attention to the existence of organized crime in the country, he was also an UN expert on organized crime.

People like Yuri Shchekochikhin do not perish from history, they become part of it.

May the memory of Yuri Shchekochikhin live forever!

Sergei Mitrokhin,

YABLOKO Chairman