| In connection with the fact that hearings on the application
of [ex-YUKOS head] Platon Lebedev will be held in the court
of Velsk, Arkhangelsk region, on July 26, the Russian United
Democratic Party YABLOKO insists that the court should take
a positive decision [regarding the release of Lebedev].
An extremely odious YUKOS case in which Platon Lebedev was
twice sentenced to imprisonment is not only a subject to litigation
in different courts, but it has also been attracting the attention
of many ordinary people who are concerned about Russia's future.
It is impossible to create a modern country when redistribution
of property and criminal prosecution of businessmen has turned
into a norm. The YUKOS case is one of many, but it is remarkable
in its scope and broad media coverage and public resonance.
Release of prisoners and re-examination of the YUKOS case
in courts, as well as other similar cases of Russian businessmen
will become an essential and necessary step in Russias movement
from the post-Soviet authoritarian state towards normal policies
and a European style economy functioning in the interests
of Russian citizens.
Mitigating the terms of imprisonment for Platon Lebedev and
adopting a decision of his release on parole, the Court of
Velsk may lay foundations for the beginning of judicial reform,
make the first step towards the creation of a new Russian
court, which will be independent and governed by law, rather
than by arbitrary rule and private or group interests under
the guise of legality.
YABLOKO supports the initiative of the Vazhsky Krai movement
and the Velsk-Info publishing house to collect signatures
for release of Platon Lebedev on parole and calls on all party
supporters to join this initiative.
Sergei Mitrokhin,
Chairman of the YABLOKO party
See also:
The
YUKOS case
Human
Rights
|
