(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a CPJ press release: Postponement of Pasko Trial Criticized by Defense Lawyers, CPJ Arnett: “Justice delayed is justice denied.” Vladivostok, June 4, 2001 — The postponement Monday of a new trial against Russian environmental journalist Grigory Pasko was denounced by his defense team and representatives from the Committee to Protect […]
(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a CPJ press release:
Postponement of Pasko Trial Criticized by Defense Lawyers, CPJ Arnett: “Justice delayed is justice denied.”
Vladivostok, June 4, 2001 — The postponement Monday of a new trial against Russian environmental journalist Grigory Pasko was denounced by his defense team and representatives from the Committee to Protect Journalists 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 Committee to Protect Journalists (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.”
For a transcript of the press conference and other information about press conditions in Russia, visit www.cpj.org. CPJ is a New York-based, independent, nonprofit organization that works to safeguard press freedom around the world.
