News Archive (1998-2004)




(10/05/04)

Russian researcher Igor Sutyagin sentenced to 15 year hard labour


On April 7, 2004 the Moscow City Court sentenced Igor Sutyagin, a researcher from the U.S. and Canada Institute in Moscow, to 15 year in hard labor. His alleged crime - treason and espionage.

This sentence has shocked Russian society and the international community. Igor's only "wrongdoing" was that he was involved in legitimate scientific analysis of publicly available information. He was accused of collecting material on nuclear submarines and missile warning systems and passing it on to US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) officers through a British consultancy firm called Alternative Futures.

The prosecution of Igor Sutyagin sets a very dangerous precedent. It shows that in today's Russia the security services can bring an accusation of espionage against anyone. The Russian judicial system is too weak to assure a defendant a fair trial under the pressure from the FSB.

As the case of Igor Sutyagin makes its way through the appeal process, he needs your help.

Visit the Support Igor Sutyagin website: www.sutyagin.org, subscribe to the mailing list, sign the letter to the Russian president, support Igor's family.

Persecution of scientists for their research should not be allowed to continue.

For more information: Support Igor Sutyagin website

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