EU Representative Stano: Sentence to Head of Memorial Branch Dmitriev is Unacceptable
Photo: David Frenkel / Kommersant
The conviction of Yuri Dmitriev, the head of the Karelian branch of the human rights center “Memorial” ( recognized in Russia as an NGO-foreign agent), is unacceptable. This is how the spokesman for the European Union (EU) Foreign Service, Peter Stano, assessed the decision of the court on Twitter.
“The EU believes that this harsh sentence is related to human rights activities and the study of political repression by Dmitriev,” Stano said. He condemned the court decision in Karelia and called it a violation of Russia's international obligations.
Earlier it was reported that the Russian Supreme Court had liquidated Memorial. The corresponding claim was filed by the General Prosecutor's Office, the center received it on November 11. The reason, according to the department, was the repeated violation of the law on foreign agents. At the same time, the leadership of the human rights society denies all charges and considers the decision to be politically motivated.
On December 27, it became known that the court found Dmitriev guilty of making pornography, lecherous actions and possession of weapons. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison. The case against the historian was brought up back in 2016. Dmitriev became the discoverer of the burial places of victims of Stalinist repression in Sandarmokh.
