The Group of Liberals, Democrats and Reformers (LDR) in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe expressed its “deep concern over the decision of the Supreme Court of Russia to leave in force the verdict, whereby journalist Grigory Pasko is imprisoned.”

Such information comes from a member of the Russian delegation in PACE, Deputy Head of the LDR Group and member of the Yabloko faction in the State Duma of the RF Alexander Shishlov.

The statement, adopted by the LDR Group on June 26 2002 runs: “The Pasko case is a political case: this is a manifestation of a spy hunt. In our opinion, this case represents a serious threat to the freedom of expression and freedom of speech in Russia.”

The Group of Liberals, Democrats and Reformers thinks that the Russian authorities should: “review the Pasko case, free and rehabilitate him in the nearest future.”

The Group of Liberals, Democrats and Reformers consists of 90 members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe from 30 countries. It is the third largest faction in PACE.

On June 25, 2002 the Military Board of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation left in force the verdict issued to military journalist Grigory Pasko by the Court of the Pacific Fleet, although the Board deleted some provisions from the verdict. Six months prior to these developments, on December 25, 2001 the Court of the Pacific Fleet recognized Grigory Pasko as guilty of espionage for Japan and sentenced him to four years’ imprisonment in a guarded camp.

See also:
Grigory Pasko Case