Statement by the Coordinating Council in Regards to the Death of Alexander Dolmatov
Russian citizen Alexander Dolmatov committed suicide in the Netherlands on January 17, a few days after his application for international protection was denied.
We believe that the blame for the death of this man falls on the authorities of the Russian Federation, who forced him to leave the country.
At the same time, we are concerned about the actions of the authorities in the Netherlands, and draw their attention to the following facts.
On May 6, 2012, Alexander Dolmatov, the lead specialist of a rocket company, was detained alongside other participants in a public protest at Bolotnaya Square on charges of disobeying the demands of the police. After that, surveillance by the authorities forced Dolmatov to temporarily change his place of residence.
Later, on June 8th, criminal investigators confiscated a computer from his formal place of residence. When this happened, it became clear that the search was connected with the events at Bolotnaya Square.
Given the experiences of other protesters on May 6th who have been arrested on charges of organizing mass riots and violence against police officers, it is obvious to us that Dolmatov had reason to fear persecution for his political opinions. He had previously taken part in other mass public events and was a member of the “Other Russia” party.
The persecution of May 6th protesters is of a political nature, and i therefore accompanied by numerous violations of the European Convention of the Protection of Human Rights and Freedoms.
The violation of the right to freedom of assembly by the state was the main cause of what the authorities call the “mass disorder” of May 6th.
Such “disorder” is denied by a majority of lawyers and human rights organizations, including the Council for Civil Society and
Human Rights under the President of the Russian Federation. Not one police officer sustained serious trauma or injury.
Nevertheless, more than 20 people have been named suspects, of which 15 are in custody. The only person to have been tried - Maxim Luzyanin - plead guilty and was sentenced to 4.5 years in prison.
In light of the investigations and persecution of Dolmatov and other May 6th protesters, appeals for international protection are a justified step. Several of these people have already left Russia because of political oppression, and are now asylum seekers.
In connection with the tragic death of Dolmatov, we call on the Council of Europe, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and international human rights organizations to pay special attention to the obvious political motives of the persecution of the participants in the
sanctioned public protest of May 6, 2012.
We also ask the Dutch government to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the denial of asylum to Alexander Dolmatov and the cause of his death.
Passed by a majority vote on the voting site “Demokratiya 2&rdquo
We believe that the blame for the death of this man falls on the authorities of the Russian Federation, who forced him to leave the country.
At the same time, we are concerned about the actions of the authorities in the Netherlands, and draw their attention to the following facts.
On May 6, 2012, Alexander Dolmatov, the lead specialist of a rocket company, was detained alongside other participants in a public protest at Bolotnaya Square on charges of disobeying the demands of the police. After that, surveillance by the authorities forced Dolmatov to temporarily change his place of residence.
Later, on June 8th, criminal investigators confiscated a computer from his formal place of residence. When this happened, it became clear that the search was connected with the events at Bolotnaya Square.
Given the experiences of other protesters on May 6th who have been arrested on charges of organizing mass riots and violence against police officers, it is obvious to us that Dolmatov had reason to fear persecution for his political opinions. He had previously taken part in other mass public events and was a member of the “Other Russia” party.
The persecution of May 6th protesters is of a political nature, and i therefore accompanied by numerous violations of the European Convention of the Protection of Human Rights and Freedoms.
The violation of the right to freedom of assembly by the state was the main cause of what the authorities call the “mass disorder” of May 6th.
Such “disorder” is denied by a majority of lawyers and human rights organizations, including the Council for Civil Society and
Human Rights under the President of the Russian Federation. Not one police officer sustained serious trauma or injury.
Nevertheless, more than 20 people have been named suspects, of which 15 are in custody. The only person to have been tried - Maxim Luzyanin - plead guilty and was sentenced to 4.5 years in prison.
In light of the investigations and persecution of Dolmatov and other May 6th protesters, appeals for international protection are a justified step. Several of these people have already left Russia because of political oppression, and are now asylum seekers.
In connection with the tragic death of Dolmatov, we call on the Council of Europe, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and international human rights organizations to pay special attention to the obvious political motives of the persecution of the participants in the
sanctioned public protest of May 6, 2012.
We also ask the Dutch government to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the denial of asylum to Alexander Dolmatov and the cause of his death.
Passed by a majority vote on the voting site “Demokratiya 2&rdquo