Russian Rights Activists Vow to Free Alleged Spies Sutyagin, Danilov
Russian human rights activists will fight to free scientist Yuri Sutyagin, sentenced to 15 years in prison for treason, and Valentin Danilov, on trial for similar charges involving selling what prosecutors allege are state secrets.
Both scientists have said that the information they allegedly “sold” was in the public domain. Sutyagin was tried by a court of jury.
“We will fight to free Danilov and Sutyagin,” Liudmila Alexeyeva, chairwoman of the Moscow Helsinki Group, was quoted by the Interfax news agency as saying at a press conference Wednesday.
“I just can’t allow myself to think that Danilov and Sutyagin will have to serve that sentence that was handed down to Sutyagin and may be handed down to Danilov,” Alexeyeva said.
She added that the group’s activists would appeal to the European Court for Human Rights on the scientists’ behalf.
Ernst Cherny, a representative of the scientists’ rights committee, said that half of the jury in the Danilov case had access to secret documents and “depends on the FSB in one way or another”.
Danilov was taken into custody on Nov. 10 during a court hearing. His trial continues.
