Goussinsky Arrest - June-July 2000

 

 

GOUSSINSKY CHARGES DROPPED:

Moscow Times (July 28)
Washington Post online (July 27)
CNN (July 27)
Associated Press (July 27)

Press Minister Criticized  (Interfax, September 20) Prosecutor Pursues Probe  (Moscow Times, September 20) Goussinsky's Property Seized  (Washington Post, July 20) Goussinsky Interview   (Jerusalem Post, June 26) The Fallout   (TIME Europe, June 26) Jim Hoagland Commentary (Washington Post, June 25) The Charges   (Moscow Times, June 23) Russian Press Reaction - Review and Analysis (June 21) Whom to Blame?   (Moscow Times, June 20) U.S. House Passes Resolution   (June 19) National Press Club Statement  (June 19) Goussinsky profile   (JTA, June 19) Safire Commentary   (New York Times, June 19) Goussinsky Interview   (Newsweek, June 18) Nina Krushcheva Commentary   (Ha'aretz, June 18) PBS NewsHour (June 16) Goussinsky Released (June 16) Goussinsky Formally Charged   (June 16) Action Alert (June 15) Congress Responds     Resolutions    Press Conference    Statements        Letter U.S. business leaders postpone Russia mission (June 15) Moscow Times story (June 15) Sharansky speaks out  (Jerusalem Post, June 15) NCSJ Action Alert (June 15) B'nai B'rith statement (June 15) Economist Intelligence Unit (June 14) American Jewish Letter to President Putin  (June 14) Jerusalem Post story (June 14) RFE/RL coverage (June 14) Jewish Agency ("Sochnut") statement  (June 14) OSCE statement (June 14) Jewish Telegraphic Agency story  (June 13) Reuters profile (June 13) Tom Dine on Freedom of the Press  (April 4)

On June 13 we learned the disturbing news of Vladimir Goussinsky’s arrest in Moscow on criminal charges of stealing state property. The following statement, issued jointly by NCSJ and the Conference of Presidents, reflects our ongoing concern and involvement: 

NCSJ and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations are deeply concerned about today’s arrest of Russian Jewish community leader Vladimir Goussinsky in Moscow. Since learning of Mr. Goussinsky’s arrest, we have been in contact with U.S. and Russian government officials as well as community leadership.

Mr. Goussinsky, who heads the Media-MOST independent media enterprise, enjoys the strong support and respect of the organized American Jewish community in his leadership role as President of the Russian Jewish Congress. The Jewish community has noted with distress the ongoing attacks by government-owned and other media against Mr. Goussinsky and the Russian Jewish Congress.

At this important period in Russian history, basic freedoms appear to be challenged in a systemic way, and the Russian government’s response will greatly influence the outcome for civil society and rule of law in the Russian Federation. We expect the Russian authorities to follow due process and international legal standards with respect to Mr. Goussinsky and to assure the full rights of the Russian Jewish community. The American Jewish community attaches the highest priority to Mr. Goussinsky’s welfare.

(The World Jewish Congress issued a similar statement June 13.)

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Anti-Defamation League statement (June 13):

We are gravely concerned by today's arrest of Vladimir Goussinsky. This move by the prosecutor raises serious questions about President Vladimir Putin's commitment to the rule of law and his respect for democratic processes.