Source: Globus Independent Press Syndicate Media Defence Center, Moscow **Updates IFEX alert dated 19 June 1996** The trial of journalist Valery Yerofeyev resumed in closed session in the Russian provincial city of Samara on 8 July 1996. (The session was adjourned from 21 June to 7 July, apparently in response to local and international protests.) […]
Source: Globus Independent Press Syndicate Media Defence Center,
Moscow
**Updates IFEX alert dated 19 June 1996**
The trial of journalist Valery Yerofeyev resumed in closed session
in the Russian provincial city of Samara on 8 July 1996. (The
session was adjourned from 21 June to 7 July, apparently in
response to local and international protests.) The Samara chapter
of the Russian Journalists’ Union, Moscow press freedom groups,
and Yerofeyev’s attorney characterize the case as “trumped-up” in
reprisal for his investigative journalism.
Yerofeyev was arrested on 25 September 1995, and has now been in
detention for nearly ten months in a state of deteriorating health
(see IFEX alert). Recently it was determined that in addition to
Article 226 of the penal code (“pandering” and “maintaining a
brothel”), punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment, Yerofeyev
is charged under Article 228, “production of pornographic images,”
based on photos obtained from his home and office. No evidence to
support the charges has been provided at the trial and the
testimonies of witnesses appear to have been coerced by
authorities. Yerofeyev’s wife has not been permitted to attend the
trial because officials intend to call her as a witness.
Although the judge has not provided any explanation, Yerofeyev’s
case has now been linked with the murder trial of Oleg Malygin,
head of a Samara firm called Elita, a founder of Yerofeyev’s
former newspaper, “Vremya-Iks”. Malygin is accused of killing his
driver, who in turn was accused of stealing money from Malygin.
The charges against Malygin have been reduced from murder to
“grievous bodily damage,” evidently in exchange for Malygin’s
consent to testify against Yerofeyev in a jail-house plea-bargain.
Malygin is also accused of serving as an intermediary in passing
fees for procurement of prostitutes.
Ostensibly the trial is closed because the prostitutes who are
giving testimony against Yerofeyev are minors, and under the law,
their identity must be protected. After a raid on local houses of
prostitution last year, police demanded that the prostitutes
testify against Yerofeyev. Globus Independent Press Syndicate and
Glasnost Defense Foundation, another Russian press freedom group,
have protested to provincial and city justice officials, noting
that the closed trial essentially shields the abuse of power of
corrupt policemen rather than of underage girls.
Yerofeyev is disabled without the full use of his right arm.
Before his jailing, he was already suffering from osteomyelitis, a
chronic kidney disease, and an eye ailment. In the last nine
months of detention, he has also developed scabies, dysentery and
acute vision difficulties.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the following federal, regional and local
authorities:
in retaliation for his journalistic work rather than any real
violation of the law
be released immediately
officers in Samara responsible for the arrest of Yerofeyev
Appeals To
Yury Skuratov
Russian Federation Prosecutor General
Fax: +7 095 292 8848 or +7 095 925 1879Gen. Anatoly Kulikov
Russian Federation Minister of Interior
Fax: +7 095 230 2580Konstantin Titov
Governor of Samara Region
Fax: +7 8462 323 330Vyacheslav Kazakov
Samara Region Public Prosecutor
Fax: +7 8462 324 055
Please copy appeals to the originator and to:
Globus Independent Press Syndicate
Fax: +7 095 923 7129
E-mail: globus@glas.apc.org
