The Organizing Committee of the International Union of Free Journalists (IUFJ) has sent a letter to the authorities of this country requesting the termination of criminal prosecution against Vladimir Linderman, a well–known Latvian journalist and human rights defender, one of the most prominent apologists for the Russian and Russian-speaking population of Latvia.
As Nikolai Kostyrkin, coordinator of the IUFJ Organizing committee, explained in an interview with the FAN, the Latvian authorities are persecuting Linderman for his personal views and judgments. But they don't have the rights to do that.
- "In an open message to Latvian President Egils Levits, Prime Minister Crisianis Karins, and Speaker of the Seimas Inara Murniece, we noted that in the case of Vladimir Linderman, investigative authorities are prosecuting a person for his personal views and judgments. Firstly, this is outside the jurisdiction of Latvia, and secondly, these judgments cannot serve as a basis for any repressive measures," he said.
The letter states that the measures that were taken against Linderman: detention pending sentencing in the case, although the defendant is not dangerous to others, are not only an act of unjustified pressure from the state machine. But also the fact that the actions of the Latvian authorities directly contradict article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states: "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression." Plus, they run counter to the Latvian constitution.
- "The persecution of Vladimir Linderman also contradicts the Constitution of Latvia, which states that "everyone has the right to freedom of speech, including the right to freely receive, possess and disseminate information, and express their views. Censorship is prohibited." Throughout his detention, Vladimir Linderman suffered from a lack of medical care, which he needed for health reasons. In connection with all of the above, the Organizing Committee of the International Union of Free Journalists asks you to: influence the immediate review of the criminal case against Vladimir Linderman; to assist Vladimir Linderman in fully restoring his health," the Organizing Committee of the International Union of Free Journalists said in an open letter.
Vladimir Linderman was placed in a place of detention on June 21, 2022, on charges that, in our opinion, were completely absurd, and on October 10 he was released on bail. He is charged under Part 1 of Article 74 of the Latvian Criminal Law with "glorifying and justifying crimes against peace and justifying war crimes." The essence of the charges against Linderman boils down to his personal opinion about the reasons and meaning of the special military operation of the Russian armed forces to denazify and demilitarize Ukraine.
As Kostyrkin noted, Linderman was held in conditions far from humane. He was denied access to necessary medicines, deprived of the opportunity to regularly communicate with loved ones and correspond with like-minded people.
On Tuesday, October 11, the public figure was released on bail of 6,000 euros. This sum was collected in a short time by representatives of the caring public, Kostyrkin said. The investigation in this case is ongoing.
RIA FAN: https://riafan.ru/23695265-mezhdunarodnii_soyuz_svobodnih_zhurnalistov_prizval_vlasti_latvii_prekratit_presledovanie_lindermana
As Kostyrkin noted, Linderman was held in conditions far from humane. He was denied access to necessary medicines, deprived of the opportunity to regularly communicate with loved ones and correspond with like-minded people.
On Tuesday, October 11, the public figure was released on bail of 6,000 euros. This sum was collected in a short time by representatives of the caring public, Kostyrkin said. The investigation in this case is ongoing.
RIA FAN: https://riafan.ru/23695265-mezhdunarodnii_soyuz_svobodnih_zhurnalistov_prizval_vlasti_latvii_prekratit_presledovanie_lindermana