CPJ receives reply to appeals on behalf of detained journalist Valery Yerofeyev; continued concerns

**Updates IFEX alerts dated 10 July and 19 June 1996** Below is a translation from Russion of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs’ reply to CPJ’s letter on Samara journalist Valery Yerofeyev, whose trial on fabricated charges resumed on 8 July 1996 (see IFEX alerts). Following that is the full text of CPJ’s response. Similar […]

**Updates IFEX alerts dated 10 July and 19 June 1996**

Below is a translation from Russion of the Russian Ministry of
Internal Affairs’ reply to CPJ’s letter on Samara journalist
Valery Yerofeyev, whose trial on fabricated charges resumed on 8
July 1996 (see IFEX alerts). Following that is the full text of
CPJ’s response.

Similar appeals can continue to be sent to Russian authorities,
taking note of the corrected title for Col. Gen. Anatoly Kulikov.

Appeals To

His Excellency Yuri Skuratov

Procurator General

Moscow, Russia

Fax: +7 095 292 8848 or +7 095 925 1879

Col. Gen. Anatoly Kulikov

Russian Federation Minister of Internal Affairs

Ministry of Internal Affairs

Moscow, Russia

Fax: +7 095 230 2580

Konstantin Titov

Governor of Samara Region

Fax: +7 8462 323 330

Vyacheslav Kazakov

Samara Region Public Prosecutor

Fax: +7 8462 324 055

The two letters follow:

FROM:
Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation

Investigative Committee
Moscow

July 11, 1996
To:  William A. Orme

     Executive Director

     Committee to Protect Journalists

Re:  Review of Letter
Dear Mr. Orme:
“Your letter concerning the defense of journalist Valery Yerofeyev

from unfounded persecution was received by the Russian Federation

Ministry of Internal Affairs and was assigned for review to the

Investigative Committee of the Ministry.
“It was established that on April 15, 1996, the prosecutor of the

city of Samara closed the investigation into the criminal case of

charges against A.N. Yemelyanov, V.V. Yerofeyev and others for

commission of a number of crimes, including maintaining a house of

prostitution and pandering.
“At the present time the criminal case is being handled by the

People’s Court of the Promyshlenny District in the city of Samara,

which has jurisdiction over the decision on the question of the

guilt of Yerofeyev and others.”
Deputy Director
[Signature]
A.N. Rodionov
******
CPJ RESPONSE:
July 22, 1996
SENT BY FAX: 011-7-095-230-2580
A.N. Rodionov

Investigative Committee

Russian Federation

Ministry of Internal Affairs
“Dear Mr. Rodionov,
“Thank you for your prompt review and response to our July 10

letter expressing concern about the case of Samara journalist

Valery Yerofeyev, which we received by fax on July 18.
“While we welcome your oversight of this case, we note that your

letter appears to be a mere restatement of the facts already known

about the case. You write that Valery Yerofeyev is accused of the

crime of pandering.  
“As we stated in our letter, the Committee to Protect Journalists

is concerned that the charges against Yerofeyev were falsified in

retaliation for his series of articles on prostitution, “People on

Sidewalks,” published in 1995 in Vremya-Iks. Inexplicably, his

case has been linked to the murder case against publisher Oleg

Malygin, who has given testimony against Yerofeyev in a plea-

bargain. There are further allegations that underaged prostitutes

were coerced into giving testimony against Yerofeyev by local

policemen disgruntled with Yerofeyev’s expose of their corruption.

No hard evidence in support of the charges has been supplied in

the courtroom and your letter makes no reference to any such

evidence. The prolonged pre-trial detention and the closing of the

trial sessions to the public also appear unwarranted given the

nature of the charges, which are for a non-violent crime unrelated

to national security.
“The Committee to Protect Journalists, a non-partisan organization

devoted to protecting its colleagues around the world, fears that

Mr. Yerofeyev may be suffering reprisals for his journalistic

work. We urge you to investigate carefully the prosecution of

Yerofeyev, to ensure that the trial proceedings are open, and to

make public your findings.  We also respectfully request that

Yerofeyev be released from prison on health grounds in exchange

for a signed agreement to remain in town, and that the Samara

Union of Journalists’ offer to vouch for Mr. Yerofeyev be

accepted.
“Thank you again for your reply and we await your comments.”

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