The International Press Institute (IPI) calls for the immediate and unconditional release of editor and publisher German Galkin.

After a trial that excluded the public, Galkin, the deputy editor-in-chief of Vecherny Chelyabinsk and publisher of Rabochaya Gazeta, was sentenced on 15 August to one year in a Russian labour camp for apparently libelling and insulting two deputy governors of the Chelyabinsk region.

The original complaints were made in June 2002 by deputy governors Andrei Kosilov and Konstantin Bochkaryov who claim they were libelled in a series of articles revealing alleged corruption and misspending.

Speaking of the court’s decision, IPI Director, Johann P. Fritz, said, “IPI fully supports the joint statement of the Council of Europe and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Journalists have a duty to report on the activities of officials and rather than seeking to quash this vital democratic function the Russian authorities should be doing their utmost to uphold this principle.”

“The sentence of Galkin sends out the wrong signals and encourages self-censorship; serving as a bitter reminder to journalists all over Russia that there are severe penalties for those who wish to write on certain subjects. Indeed, it is proof that there are still taboo subjects in the country that are dangerous for journalists to comment upon.” Fritz added.

“Given the fact that there are Parliamentary elections in December, swiftly followed by Presidential elections in early 2004, it is extremely important that the media are allowed to scrutinise the suitability of those who seek high office,” Fritz added.

On the subject of criminal defamation, Fritz said, “As IPI has repeatedly said the question of defamation is a legal determination for the civil courts. The use of the criminal courts to imprison journalists is the sign of a country that is still deeply uncomfortable with free expression and the independence of the media.”