US wants Russia journalist released pending appeal
Date: 01-Jan-02
Country: USA
A military court sentenced journalist Grigory Pasko, an environmentalist and former Russian navy captain, to four years in jail on Tuesday for passing state secrets to Japan.
Pasko revealed the navy's dumping of toxic waste in the Sea of Japan. He denies acting illegally.
Pasko had walked free after his original trial two years ago and had expected to be cleared at the retrial, which has highlighted concerns about media freedom.
U.S. State Department spokesman Philip Reeker said: "The trial was conducted in closed session and we don't have sufficient information to comment on the evidence or how the prosecution
brought their case.
"But we note that prominent human rights activists in Russia have raised questions about whether Mr. Pasko is being punished for legitimate journalistic activity."
"Our hope is that his appeal will be heard promptly and in accordance with Russian law and the constitution, and that, as a humanitarian gesture, he might be released from detention pending his appeal .... We continue to watch that case with some interest," he added.
