Russia: 'Deeply alarming' raid targets human rights activist and journalist Zoya Svetova
| Publisher | Amnesty International |
| Publication Date | 28 February 2017 |
| Cite as | Amnesty International, Russia: 'Deeply alarming' raid targets human rights activist and journalist Zoya Svetova, 28 February 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58b5a03f4.html [accessed 1 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
After Russian criminal investigators searched the flat of Zoya Svetova, a prominent journalist and human rights activist, this morning, Sergei Nikitin, Director of Amnesty International Russia, said:
"Today's search of Zoya Svetova's flat is deeply alarming. She is one of Russia's most respected journalists and human rights activists - it is unclear what she might have to do with the criminal investigation against YUKOS."
"This search seems like a blatant attempt by the authorities to interfere with her legitimate work as a journalist and perhaps a warning for her and others of the risks of human rights work and independent journalism in Russia."
Zoya Svetova previously worked for Reporters without Borders and Soros Foundation in Russia.
The search was conducted by 12 officers from Russia's Investigative Committee that probes serious crime. According to Svetova's lawyer, it was linked to a case of alleged embezzlement and tax fraud by the former YUKOS oil company head Mikhail Khodorkovsky. One of the most prominent critics of the Kremlin, Khodorkovsky served 10 years in jail and in 2011, after being convicted of another offence and sentenced to a new term of imprisonment, he was declared a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International.
In December 2016 Russian Investigative Committee officers raided the apartments of seven Open Russia activists as well as the movement's offices in Moscow and Saint Petersburg. The Investigative Committee claimed it was seeking evidence of money laundering by former YUKOS executives with links to Khodorkovsky.
