Centre of Extreme Journalism: lenient sentence for Dmitrievskiy is a merit of journalists and public

The sentence given today to Stanislav Dmitrievskiy, human rights activist and journalist, in Nizhni Novgorod - two years of suspended imprisonment - has been commented on to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent by Oleg Panfilov, director of the Centre of Extreme Journalism under the Union of Journalists.

"This case is an attempt to close one of few alternative sources of information on Chechnya. The authorities were prepared to apply strict measures but, in all probability, failed to forecast the degree of public resistance. When we were holding an action of collecting signatures in support of Dmitrievskiy, we did not expect that a lot of people, about six hundred, would sign the statement. Starting from ordinary journalists, not only from Russia but also from all CIS countries, and up to Andre Gluksman, a French philosopher and well-known scholar on Caucasus issues. The solidarity of Russian journalists is starting to show, after all," says Oleg Panfilov.

"The charges against Dmitrievskiy run counter to the Russian and international legislation and the freedom of speech principles. He is incriminated with the publications of addresses by Aslan Maskhadov and Ahmed Zakaev. The authorities wanted to limit the appearance of such people as interviewees, starting from 1999, but the main thing is that the addresses contained nothing which could fall under the law "On Fighting Terrorism" or any article of the Russian Criminal Code. There were no calls for a war or genocide or any other illegal actions. I think therefore, that the trial and persecution of Dmitrievskiy is an intention to close the most active information sources on Chechnya and to demonstrate by this example that the authorities are not going take it easy any more."

For reference, Stanislav Dmitrievskiy was convicted around 13.00 today by the Soviet district court of Nizhni Novgorod to two years of suspended imprisonment, with a four-year probation, as reported by telephone to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent by Svetlana Gannushkina, chair of the "Civil Assistance" Committee and member of the "Memorial" human rights centre Council .