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Vladivostok, June 4, 2001 --- The postponement Monday of a new
trial against Russian environmental journalist Grigory Pasko was denounced
by his defense team and CPJ representatives in front of the Vladivostok
courthouse and at a later press conference.
Defense lawyer Anatoly Pishkin said the delay was an attempt by Pacific
Ocean Fleet prosecutors "to erode the stamina and resources of Pasko's
supporters." Military authorities have been pursuing the investigative
reporter for nearly four years on charges of espionage and revealing
state secrets.
A CPJ delegation visiting Vladivostok to observe the proceedings also
criticized the court's action. "Justice delayed is justice denied,"
declared CPJ board member Peter Arnett to reporters assembled outside
the military courthouse in downtown Vladivostok. Europe program consultant
Emma Gray told a later press conference that CPJ would continue to monitor
the case, which the organization believes is part of a campaign by Russian
authorities to silence its press critics.
Contrary to Russian law, prosecutors failed to appear at court to request
the postponement. Instead, a printed notice on an inner door of the
courthouse announced that the case was postponed until June 20. Military
police blocking the entrance to the court told CPJ that the postponement
was "for family reasons."
"I'm tired of this process. I want this disgraceful case to end as soon
as possible," Grigory Pasko told the press conference. "Everyone already
knows that there are no spies and no crimes in this affair."
Pasko was an investigative reporter with Boyevaya Vakhta, a newspaper
owned by Russia's Pacific Fleet. He was arrested on November 20, 1997,
and accused of passing classified documents to the Japanese television
network NHK. Pasko maintained that he passed no classified material,
and that he was prosecuted for working with Japanese news outlets that
publicized environmental hazards at the Pacific Fleet's facilities.
The journalist spent 20 months in prison awaiting trial. On July 20,
1999, he was acquitted of treason, but was found guilty of abusing his
authority as an officer. He received a three-year sentence but was released
under an amnesty program.
His ordeal did not end there, however. On November 21, 2000, the Military
Collegium of the Russian Supreme Court cancelled the lower court's verdict
and called for new hearings. Pasko faces a sentence of 12 to 20 years
in prison if convicted.
CPJ believes Pasko's case is part of a pattern of increasing intimidation
of Russian journalists who reveal official corruption or incompetence,
and that the outcome could have far-reaching consequences. Pasko told
CPJ: "If I fail to win this case it could cause great harm to other
journalists. There are many courageous journalists in Russia and victory
in my case would demonstrate that they can work without fear of the
KGB (secret police) or prison."
June 4, 2001
CPJ STATEMENTS AT VLADIVOSTOK PRESS CONFERENCE ON BEHALF OF GRIGORY
PASKO
EMMA GRAY:
I'm Emma Gray, the Europe Program consultant for CPJ, and I am here
to support Grigory Pasko and his long search for justice in Russia.
My organization, CPJ, is a nongovernmental committee funded entirely
by journalists, media organizations, and foundation grants. CPJ accepts
no government money of any kind. Our mission is to fight for the right
of journalists around the world to report the news freely, without fear
of reprisal.
The CPJ staff daily monitors the working conditions of journalists all
over the world and puts out regular bulletins on abuses of the press.
In special cases such as this one involving the persecution of Grigory
Pasko, we send delegations to the scene to express solidarity with the
victim.
I bring a message today from the executive director of CPJ, Ann Cooper.
She says the Pasko case "is a litmus test of how far the Russian government
is prepared to go to silence journalists. We believe that Grigory Pasko's
reports exposing environmental hazards were in the public interest,
and that he should be fully acquitted of the charges against him."
Anne Cooper adds, " In defending Grigory Pasko and standing beside him
as his second trial is about to get under way, we are demonstrating
our solidarity with all Russian journalists who speak out on issues
of public concern."
I would point out that this year CPJ named President Putin one of the
ten worst enemies of the press. This is a title that we are reluctant
to give, but in the case of the Russian leader we feel it is richly
deserved because of his campaign of intimidation against the media.
With me today is CPJ board member Peter Arnett who over the past several
years has made similar missions for our committee to Angola, Turkey,
Sri Lanka and Vietnam.
Mr. Arnett reported for the Associated Press and CNN over the past 40
years, during which he covered 18 wars including those in Vietnam, Afghanistan
and Chechnya.
PETER ARNETT:
It is a privilege to be with you all here today, and in particular to
stand beside Grigory Pasko and his legal team in this fight for freedom
of the press.
I have gotten to know Grigory, his family and some of his supporters
here and in Moscow over the past few days, and I must say I am impressed
by their determination to fight this case and win.
Grigory himself has produced extremely important journalism, exposing
serious environmental hazards that can affect the whole world. His unwavering
determination to stand by his reports and fight to prove his professional
integrity is a fine example not only to his Russian colleagues, but
to colleagues around the world. Grigory's work is what fine investigative
journalism really means.
I watched with interest in the late 1980s as glasnost developed in the
former Soviet Union. Then with the fall of authoritarian rule and the
establishment of a democratic Russia, there came the 1991 Law on Mass
Media. Freedom of the press had arrived in Russian and a new day for
free expression had arrived.
Journalists around the world are hoping that this new day will not become
night, and that press freedoms are not seriously curtailed in Russia.
This will be bad not only for Russians at home, but Russia's reputation
abroad will be harmed. This will have a negative effect on investment,
on tourism, on international goodwill. Russian's progress as a nation
will be damaged if freedom of the press is damaged.
That is why supporting journalist Grigory Pasko against the unwarranted
state charges against him is necessary on many different levels.
This is a case that Pasko must win if Russia is to fully enter the family
of nations.
Thank you
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