Urgent action by Amnesty International: PEACE ACTIVISTS RECEIVE DEATH THREATS UA: 64/14 Index: EUR 46/022/2014 Russian Federation Date: 19 March 2014 URGENT ACTION PEACE ACTIVISTS RECEIVE DEATH THREATS Activists in Samara, Russian Federation, received death threats after staging a protest against Russia’s military intervention in Crimea. On 2 March, Svetlana Chernova, Alexander Lashmankin, Igor Titarenko and several other peace activists took part in a series of single-person pickets, which, under Russian law can be held without a prior permission from the authorities, in the city of Samara, in Russia. Following this, they repeatedly received death threats from anonymous members of an online group which calls itself “Anti-Maydan” (a reference to the recent EuroMaydan protest in Kyiv, Ukraine). The group has been using VKontakte, a Russian equivalent of Facebook, to post photographs of the protestors and asked online users to help identify their names and contact details, and exert “physical and mental” pressure on them. Subsequently, personal details of Svetlana Chernova, Alexander Lashmankin, Igor Titarenko and at least two other participants of the protest were posted online, together with threatening remarks. “Girls tear her bones out,” the post of 4 March said, showing a picture of Svetlana Chernova’s apartment and stating her address. While the group on VKontakte was closed and the posts removed, threats against the peace activists continued to emerge on other social networks, including the popular LiveJournal blogging website, where a new group called “Anti-Maydan 63” was created. On 12 March, several aggressive men were waiting in front of the block of flats where Alexander Lashmankin lives. A member of “Anti-Maydan” subsequently wrote on LiveJournal that they wanted to have a “conversation to clarify his world-views.” Alexander rushed past the men and managed to reach home safely in this occasion. After this incident, graffiti saying “US-spy” appeared on Alexander Lashmankin’s door. On 15 March a group of aggressive men attacked protestors at another anti-war protest in Samara, shouting “Facists” and other abuse at the peace activists. One of the men violently pulled a banner out of the hands of Igor Titarenko, tearing it to pieces. A police officer who was present at the scene intervened several minutes later and prevented further escalation. Local human rights defenders said both incidents were instigated by anonymous members of the “Anti-Maydan” group. The activists have officially complained to the authorities about the threats they have received. Only Svetlana Chernova has received a response saying her complaint was being referred to the local police. Please write immediately in Russian or your own language calling on the Russian authorities to: Launch an immediate, impartial and effective investigation into the death threats and incidents of harassment of the peace activists in Samara; Ensure the safety of Svetlana Chernova, Alexander Lashmankin and Igor Titarenko and other activists. PEASE SEND APPEALS BEFOR 30 APRIL 2014 TO: Head of MVD Directorate Lt.-Gen. Yuri Sterlikov Ministry of interior for Samara region ul. Sokolova, 34 443068 Samara, Russian Federation Fax: + 7462 78 22 24 Email: [email protected] Salutation: Dear Lieutenant-General Prosecutor of Samara region Murat Kabaloev ul. Chapayevskaya, Translate from: Belarusian 151 443010 Samara, Russian Federation Email: [email protected] Salutation: Dear Prosecutor And copies to Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation Yurii Yakovlevich Chaika Prosecutor General’s Office ul. B. Dmitrovka, d.15a 125993 Moscow GSP- 3 Russian Federation Fax: +7 495 987 58 41; +7 495 692 17 25 Salution: Dear Prosecutor Genera lAlso send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please insert local diplomatic addresses below: NameAddress 1Address 2Address 3 Fax Fax number Email Email address Salutation Salutation Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date.
Posted on: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 17:43:48 +0000
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