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'''Boris Vladimirovich Stomakhin''' ('']'': Борис Владимирович Стомахин), (born ], ], ]), is a ] ] ], ], and editor of political periodicals. He was sentenced to five years of prison for inciting religious and ethnic hatred, promoting violent change of constitutional regime, calls for violation of terriorial integrity of Russian Federation, defamatory statements(articles 280 and 282 of the Russian Criminal Code).<ref name=sent/> '''Boris Vladimirovich Stomakhin''' ('']'': Борис Владимирович Стомахин), (born ], ], ]), is a ] ] ], ], and editor of ] periodicals.


==Journalism and political activism== ==Journalism and political activism==
Boris Stomakhin was an editor of monthly newspaper "Radical Politics" since 2000. Besides, he contributed numerous materials to ], the ] internet agency that promotes independence of ] and is maintained by Chechen separatists. Boris Stomakhin was an editor of monthly newspaper "Radical Politics" since 2000. Besides, he contributed numerous materials to ], the ] internet agency that promotes independence of ] and is maintained by Chechen separatists.


Stomakhin in his articles advocated terrorist attacks on Russian civilians<ref name=sent/>,<ref name="conviction"></ref><ref name="Lenta"></ref> called to overthrow violently current government of Russian Federation<ref name=sent/><ref name=conviction/><ref name=Lenta/>, advocated extermination of all Russians<ref name=sent/><ref name=conviction/><ref name=Lenta/>, claimed that Russian troops in Chechnya are "occupiers" and compared President ] to ] and ]<ref name="hrh"> </ref>. Stomakhin claimed that Russian troops in Chechnya are "occupiers" and compared President ] to ] and ]<ref name="hrh"> </ref>.
According to his court sentence, Stomakhin also stated that modern Russia is ] and therefore must be destroyed, and considered ] and ] as heroes of Chechen resistance whose ] activities are ] <ref name="sent"> </ref>. However, some human rights activists like ] and ] did not believe that he actually promoted any terrorist activities <ref name=Svoboda> ] {{ru icon}} </ref> According to his court sentence, Stomakhin also stated that modern Russia is ] and therefore must be destroyed, and considered ] and ] as heroes of Chechen resistance whose ] activities are ] <ref name="sent"> </ref>. However, some human rights activists like ] and ] did not believe that he actually promoted any terrorist activities <ref name=Svoboda> ] {{ru icon}} </ref>

Some journalists like M. Smolin from ] described his views as extremely russophobic, and suggested that Stomakhin is mentally ill. <ref name="KM"></ref>

Stomakhin criticized Russian government in defamatory and obscene statements.<ref name=sent/><ref name=conviction/>

Orthodox religion, according to Stomakhin opinion, should be liquidated and he called not to recognize such religion. <ref name="fedosenko"></ref>


Stomakhin was a leader of a ] political group "Revolutionary Contact Association" (RCA). Other members of this organization are Pavel Kantor, Dmitry Tarasov, Ludmila Evstifeeva, and Pavel Luzakov. They organized a number of ]s against Russian foreign policy in Ukraine, Estonia, Belarus, Chechnya. Stomakhin was a leader of a ] political group "Revolutionary Contact Association" (RCA). Other members of this organization are Pavel Kantor, Dmitry Tarasov, Ludmila Evstifeeva, and Pavel Luzakov. They organized a number of ]s against Russian foreign policy in Ukraine, Estonia, Belarus, Chechnya.


According to the Russian newspaper '']'' Stomakhin's organization might be involved with Chechen hostage-takers, based on information provided by ]. ''Utro'' alleged that during the ], terrorists had "contacted with activists of Revolutionary Contact Association" and they "may be involved in supplying terrorists with ammunition and its storing at Moscow"<ref name="Utro"> </ref> According to the Russian newspaper '']'' Stomakhin's organization might be involved with Chechen hostage-takers, based on information provided by ]. ''Utro'' alleged that during the ], terrorists had "contacted with activists of Revolutionary Contact Association" and they "may be involved in supplying terrorists with ammunition and its storing at Moscow"<ref name="Utro"> </ref> However, these charges were not brought to the court.<ref name="sent"/>


Stomakhin was accused of the ] activities, calls to violent change of Constitutional regime, calls to violate territorial integrity of Russian Federation, ], inciting ethnic and religious hatred in his articles, which covered among other things, the Chechen conflict, the Russian Orthodox Church, and Russian nation.<ref name=sent/><ref name=conviction/> A case against him was opened in December 2003.<ref name=sent/><ref name=conviction/> His home was raided in April 2004 and his computers and books were confiscated for the expertise. Stomakhin was interrogated. The Psychiatric expertise at ] found that Stomakhin is ] for the trial. Stomakhin escaped to the ] seeking political asylum status, which was eventually denied, despite Stomakhin's claims that he is politically prosecuted in Russian Federation<ref name=Lenta/>. Stomakhin was accused of ] in December 2003 <ref name="hrh"/>. His home was raided in April 2004 and his computers and books were confiscated for the expertise. Stomakhin was interrogated. The Psychiatric expertise at ] found that Stomakhin is ] for the trial. Stomakhin escaped to the ] seeking political asylum status, which was eventually denied.
<blockquote></blockquote> <blockquote></blockquote>


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Having returned to Moscow, Stomakhin was arrested on ] ]. Stomakhin tried to escape during his arrest and fell down from fourth floor of his building, according to his lawyer Alexei Golubev and news reports <ref name="press1"> </ref><ref name="press2"> </ref><ref name="press3"> </ref><ref name="press4"> </ref><ref name="press5"> </ref> <ref name="ngo1"> </ref><ref name="ngo2"> </ref><ref name="inter1"> </ref><ref name="inter2"> </ref> His spine and bones were broken as a result. Having returned to Moscow, Stomakhin was arrested on ] ]. Stomakhin tried to escape during his arrest and fell down from fourth floor of his building, according to his lawyer Alexei Golubev and news reports <ref name="press1"> </ref><ref name="press2"> </ref><ref name="press3"> </ref><ref name="press4"> </ref><ref name="press5"> </ref> <ref name="ngo1"> </ref><ref name="ngo2"> </ref><ref name="inter1"> </ref><ref name="inter2"> </ref> His spine and bones were broken as a result.


He was sentenced to five years of prison for extremist activities, inciting religious and ethnic hatred, promoting violent change of constitutional regime, calls for violation of terriorial integrity of Russian Federation, defamatory statements(articles 280 and 282 of the Russian Criminal Code).<ref name=sent/> He was sentenced to five years of prison for inciting religious and ethnic hatred, promoting violent change of constitutional regime, calls for violation of terriorial integrity of Russian Federation, defamatory statements(articles 280 and 282 of the Russian Criminal Code).


Below are several Stomakhin's citations cited as incriminating evidence in the court sentence: Below are some excerpts from Stomakhin's articles cited as incriminating evidence in the court sentence:
*"Let tens of new Chechen snipers take their positions in the mountain ridges and the city ruins and let hundreds, thousands of aggressors fall under righteous bullets! No mercy! Death to the Russian occupiers!"<ref name="sent"> </ref> (the article was written in response to rape and murder of Chechen women ] by ])
*"We, 'Revolutionary Contact Association' and 'Radical Politics' are united with the ] and are ready to cooperate with it. However we a lot more radical. We are for not waiting until 2008 and bothering ourselves particularly with the Constitution, but we are for calling people to overthrow the Putin's regime as soon as possible. And we do not see any possibility of preserving Russian Federation as a single state. But we are ready to unite with all allies, even those that are more moderate".<ref name="sent"> </ref>
*"] was justified, natural and legal... The Chechens have full moral right to blow up anything they want in Russia after all that Russia and Russians did to them, none objections on humanism and philanthropy could be accepted."<ref name="sent"> </ref> *"] was justified, natural and legal... The Chechens have full moral right to blow up anything they want in Russia after all that Russia and Russians did to them, none objections on humanism and philanthropy could be accepted."<ref name="sent"> </ref>
*"We, 'Revolutionary Contact Association' and 'Radical Politics' are united with the Committee and are ready to cooperate with it. It is understood that we are lot more radical than it. We are for not waiting until 2008 and we shouldn't bother ourselves particularly with Constitution, but we are for calling people to overthrow and liquidate Putin's regime as soon as possible. And we at all do not see possibility of preserving of present Russian Federation as a single state. But we are for common front with all our allies, even more moderate".<ref name="sent"> </ref> *"All Chechnya is currently filled up with the same ], maniacs, blood lusting sadists, murderers and degenerates with epaulets . The entire Russian occupation army consists of such Budanovs".<ref name="sent"> </ref>
*"Let tens of new Chechen snipers take their positions in the mountain ridges and the city ruins and let hundreds, thousands of aggressors fall under righteous bullets! No mercy! Death to the Russian occupiers!"<ref name="sent"> </ref> *"In Chechnya Russian army ceased to exist as a military structure of state, being transformed into a devilish gang of marauders and killers, the gang intoxicated from narcotics".<ref name="sent"> </ref>
*"After all, with the same Budanov's - maniacs, blood lusting sadists, murderers and degenerates with epaulets - all Chechnya is currently filled up. And it is Russian occupation army consists of these same Budanov's".<ref name="sent"> </ref>
*"In Chechnya Russian army ceased to exist as a military structure of a state, finally turned into devilish gang of marauders and killers, intoxicated with narcotics gang".<ref name="sent"> </ref>


Stomakhin pleaded not guilty. According to ], news agency, cited by the Committee to Protect Journalists he said he was "tried for his views and not for any real crime. ... In the articles, I expressed my opinion, with which people were free to agree or disagree." He said an opinion was not a “call to action.”. Stomakhin pleaded not guilty. According to ], news agency, cited by the Committee to Protect Journalists he said he was "tried for his views and not for any real crime. ... In the articles, I expressed my opinion, with which people were free to agree or disagree." He said an opinion was not a “call to action.”.
However, according to the official court sentence, Stomahin pleaded not guilty on the grounds that he never made public appeals for extremist activities, never called for violent change of the constitutional regime, and never incited ethnic hatred.<ref name=sent/> However, according to the official court sentence, Stomahin pleaded not guilty on the grounds that he never made public appeals for extremist activities, never called for violent change of the constitutional regime, and never incited ethnic hatred {{fact}}.


==Commentaries== ==Commentaries==
] international organization, which protects ], stated that "we do not believe Mr. Stomakhin’s comments can be interpreted as incitement to ethnic hatred." <ref name="a19"> , 23 November 2006 </ref> ] international organization, which protects ], stated that "we do not believe Mr. Stomakhin’s comments can be interpreted as incitement to ethnic hatred." <ref name="a19"> , 23 November 2006 </ref> He is currently one of two ]s in Russia listed by ] , a member of ].


], government opposition figure, leader of the ], claimed that the prosecution of Stomakhin was the start of a wider campaign, "because together with him, the entire human rights sector and the entire democratic movement will be put on trial for disagreeing with the majority, for not accepting the state policy of the Russian Federation, for sympathizing with the Chechen people, for anti-war demonstrations and pickets." <ref name="Novo"> - by Jamestown Foundation </ref> ], government opposition figure, leader of the ], claimed that the prosecution of Stomakhin was the start of a wider campaign, "because together with him, the entire human rights sector and the entire democratic movement will be put on trial for disagreeing with the majority, for not accepting the state policy of the Russian Federation, for sympathizing with the Chechen people, for anti-war demonstrations and pickets." <ref name="Novo"> - by Jamestown Foundation </ref>


According to Micah H. Naftalin, Director of ], "Bogus charges aimed at stifling dissent, cruel police tactics, ethnic bias, and blatant disregard for criminal procedural statutes are all on open display. We hope that others will join us in condemning this travesty of justice" <ref name="Micah"> , statement of UCSJ November 9, 2006) </ref>. He argued that Stomakhin's sentence was disproportionate, but acknowledged that Stomakhin's statements were ''radical''. According to Micah H. Naftalin, Director of ], "Bogus charges aimed at stifling dissent, cruel police tactics, ethnic bias, and blatant disregard for criminal procedural statutes are all on open display. We hope that others will join us in condemning this travesty of justice" <ref name="Micah"> , statement of UCSJ November 9, 2006) </ref>. He argued that Stomakhin's sentence was disproportionate, but acknowledged that Stomakhin's statements were ''radical''.
He emphasized that Boris Stomakhin did not do anything violent, unlike in many other real ] cases that were not prosecuted by Russian authorities.
He emphasized that Boris Stomakhin did not do anything violent, unlike in many other real ] cases that were not prosecuted by Russian authorities. According to the statement of ], Stomakhin 'was probably pushed from the window', however this accusation contradicts to numerous mass media and NGO reports<ref name="press1"> </ref><ref name="press2"> </ref><ref name="press3"> </ref><ref name="press4"> </ref><ref name="press5"> </ref> <ref name="ngo1"> </ref><ref name="ngo2"> </ref> and statements by Stomakhin's lawyer Alexei Golubev<ref name="inter1"> </ref><ref name="inter2"> </ref> according to which Stomakhin jumped out of the window voluntarily.


Soviet dissident ] signed the letter that condemned the conviction of Stomakhin as prosecution of ]. It was noted in the letter that many famous Russian writers were very critical of Russian nation and cited ] who said that Russians are "a pitiful nation of slaves. We are all slaves, from the top to the bottom " <ref name="Bukovsky"> Soviet dissident ] condemned the conviction of Stomakhin as prosecution of ]. He noted that many famous Russian writers were very critical of Russian nation and cited ] who said that Russians are "a pitiful nation of slaves. We are all slaves, from the top to the bottom " <ref name="Bukovsky">
by ] and others </ref> by ] and others </ref>


Widow of ] ] sighned the letter which stated that Stomakhin is not guilty in extremism and hate speech, and he is a victim of political prosecution like Soviet dissidents who were prosecuted for their writings by ]. <ref name="Bonner"> Widow of ] ] stated that Stomakhin is not guilty in extremism and hate speech, and he is a victim of political prosecution like Soviet dissidents who were prosecuted for their writings by ]. <ref name="Bonner">
. </ref> . </ref>


Former FSB officer, writer, and dissident ] praised Stomakhin as "last conscience of Russia" <ref name="Litvinenko"> </ref>. Litvinenko also stated the he fully supports the following Stomakhin's citation: "Not pacifist wails of 'human rights activists', not agreements and 'negotiations' with executioners and sadists - but only an armed strike!", compromising his alleged status as a ]. Even such vocal supporters of Stomakhin as Valeria Novodvorskaya agree that Stomakhin is not a "prisoner of conscience" since he supported violence <ref name=Svoboda/>. Former FSB officer, writer, and dissident ] praised Stomakhin as "last conscience of Russia" <ref name="Litvinenko"> </ref> and supported his views that "Not pacifist wails of 'human rights activists', not agreements and 'negotiations' with executioners and sadists - but only an armed strike!".
Human rights activist Svetlana Gannushkina and politician Valeria Novodvorskaya argued that Stomakhin's writings while outrageous had not been a public threat: they were very unlikely to incite anybody. According to Gannushkina and Novodvorskaya the ] who pose a real threat usually receive only minimal sentences or no sentences at all. Thus, the five year prison term to Stomahin is extremely excessive <ref name="Opinions"> - by Anna Karpuk for grani.ru </ref> <ref name="Val1"> - by ] for grani.ru </ref> <ref name="Val2"> - by ] for grani.ru </ref>. However, Gannushkina in the same interview acknowledged that some Stomakhin's articles were 'absolutely outrageous' and she 'categorically disagrees with what was written or told by Stomakhin'.<ref name="Opinions"> - by Anna Karpuk for grani.ru </ref> Human rights activist Svetlana Gannushkina and politician Valeria Novodvorskaya argued that Stomakhin's writings while outrageous had not been a public threat: they were very unlikely to incite anybody. According to Gannushkina and Novodvorskaya the ] who posses a real threat usually receive only minimal sentences or no sentences at all. Thus, the five year prison term to Stomahin is extremely excessive <ref name="Opinions"> - by Anna Karpuk for grani.ru </ref> <ref name="Val1"> - by ] for grani.ru </ref> <ref name="Val2"> - by ] for grani.ru </ref>. However, Gannushkina acknowledged that some Stomakhin's articles were "absolutely outrageous" and she disagrees with his writings.<ref name="Opinions"> - by Anna Karpuk for grani.ru </ref>

Journalist Vladimir Abarinov criticized conviction of Stomakhin <ref name="Abarinov"> - by Vladimir Abarinov for grani.ru.</ref> He noted that the criminal case against Stomakhin was opened based on an article about ] that was not written by Stomakhin. It was established by the court that Stomakhin actually plagiarized this article from the Live Journal entry, as well as other publications of numerous news agencies<ref name="Sentence"></ref>. The authors of the original works refused to share their responsibility with Stomakhin because Stomakhin had published their works without permission and distorted the original meaning <ref name="Abarinov"/>


Journalist Vladimir Abarinov criticized court proceedings as an example of ] <ref name="Abarinov"> - by Vladimir Abarinov for grani.ru.</ref> He noted that the criminal case against Stomakhin was opened based on an article about ] that was not written by Stomakhin. It was decided by the court that Stomakhin actually copied this article from the Live Journal entry, as well as other publications of numerous news agencies <ref name="Sentence"></ref>. The authors of the original article were not ever accused of hate crimes. The authors of the original work disagree to share their responsibility with Stomakhin citing that he had reproduced their works without permission and distorted the original meaning <ref name="Abarinov"/>
Critics of the court decision were strongly censured by
Russian publicist Maxim Sokolov. In his newspaper article published after the conviction of Stomakhin <ref name="Izves"> ] ] ]</ref> he argued that unlimited ] should be prosecuted according to the article 282 of the criminal code.
He cited Stomakhin's article ''Death to Russia'' published on the website of the ''Revolutionary Contact Association'' <ref name=Sto></ref>. The article was written
in response to murder of last elected president of unrecognized by the world community ] ] by Russian forces.


Critics of the court decision were censured by Russian publicist Maxim Sokolov. In his article published in newspaper ] after the conviction of Stomakhin <ref name="Izves"> ] ] ]</ref> he argued that unlimited ] should be prosecuted according to the article 282 of the criminal code. He cited a text allegedly written by Boris Stomakhin, which claimed that "] must be destroyed" using using all available violent means including ], because all Russians are collectively responsible for actions of their state with respect to ]. According to Sokolov, the cited passage made application of the article 282 completely appropriate, although this text was never cited as incriminating evidence during the court proceedings.<ref name="sent"/>
The Stomakhin's article contained the following passages written by Stomakhin: ''Kill, Kill, Kill! To flood all Russia with blood, to not give a quarter to anyone, to try to make at least one atomic explosion on the territory of Russian Federation -- this is like the program of radical Resistance should be, and Russian's, and Chechen's, and anyone's! Let the Russians, according to their deserts, reap as they has sown''<ref name="Izves"/> <ref name=Sto/>. ''Russians should be killed, and only killed, for there is no one among them who is normal, intelligent, or who can be talked with and for understanding of whom we could rely. Harsh collective responsibility of all Russians should be introduced, of all loyal Russian citizens for the actions of the government elected by them -- for the genocide, executions, ordeals, trade with corpses... From that moment there should be no division of killers on combatant and non-combatant, wilful or forced''<ref name=Sto/>.
According to Sokolov the cited passages made application of the article 282 completely appropriate.


==References== ==References==
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Revision as of 17:08, 31 January 2007

File:Stomahin.jpg
Boris Stomakhin

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Boris Vladimirovich Stomakhin (Russian: Борис Владимирович Стомахин), (born August 24, 1974, Moscow), is a Russian radical political activist, journalist, and editor of dissident periodicals.

Journalism and political activism

Boris Stomakhin was an editor of monthly newspaper "Radical Politics" since 2000. Besides, he contributed numerous materials to Kavkaz Center, the Islamic internet agency that promotes independence of Chechnya and is maintained by Chechen separatists.

Stomakhin claimed that Russian troops in Chechnya are "occupiers" and compared President Vladimir Putin to Saddam Hussein and Slobodan Milošević. According to his court sentence, Stomakhin also stated that modern Russia is Evil empire and therefore must be destroyed, and considered Shamil Basaev and Salman Raduev as heroes of Chechen resistance whose terrorist activities are legitimate . However, some human rights activists like Valeria Novodvorskaya and Yakov Krotov did not believe that he actually promoted any terrorist activities

Stomakhin was a leader of a radical political group "Revolutionary Contact Association" (RCA). Other members of this organization are Pavel Kantor, Dmitry Tarasov, Ludmila Evstifeeva, and Pavel Luzakov. They organized a number of pickets against Russian foreign policy in Ukraine, Estonia, Belarus, Chechnya.

According to the Russian newspaper Utro Stomakhin's organization might be involved with Chechen hostage-takers, based on information provided by FSB. Utro alleged that during the Moscow theater hostage crisis, terrorists had "contacted with activists of Revolutionary Contact Association" and they "may be involved in supplying terrorists with ammunition and its storing at Moscow" However, these charges were not brought to the court.

Stomakhin was accused of hate speech in December 2003 . His home was raided in April 2004 and his computers and books were confiscated for the expertise. Stomakhin was interrogated. The Psychiatric expertise at Moscow Serbsky Institute found that Stomakhin is competent for the trial. Stomakhin escaped to the Ukraine seeking political asylum status, which was eventually denied.

Arrest and trial

Having returned to Moscow, Stomakhin was arrested on March 21 2006. Stomakhin tried to escape during his arrest and fell down from fourth floor of his building, according to his lawyer Alexei Golubev and news reports His spine and bones were broken as a result.

He was sentenced to five years of prison for inciting religious and ethnic hatred, promoting violent change of constitutional regime, calls for violation of terriorial integrity of Russian Federation, defamatory statements(articles 280 and 282 of the Russian Criminal Code).

Below are some excerpts from Stomakhin's articles cited as incriminating evidence in the court sentence:

  • "Let tens of new Chechen snipers take their positions in the mountain ridges and the city ruins and let hundreds, thousands of aggressors fall under righteous bullets! No mercy! Death to the Russian occupiers!" (the article was written in response to rape and murder of Chechen women Elza Kungaeva by Yuri Budanov)
  • "We, 'Revolutionary Contact Association' and 'Radical Politics' are united with the Committee 2008 and are ready to cooperate with it. However we a lot more radical. We are for not waiting until 2008 and bothering ourselves particularly with the Constitution, but we are for calling people to overthrow the Putin's regime as soon as possible. And we do not see any possibility of preserving Russian Federation as a single state. But we are ready to unite with all allies, even those that are more moderate".
  • "Bombing in Moscow subway was justified, natural and legal... The Chechens have full moral right to blow up anything they want in Russia after all that Russia and Russians did to them, none objections on humanism and philanthropy could be accepted."
  • "All Chechnya is currently filled up with the same Budanovs, maniacs, blood lusting sadists, murderers and degenerates with epaulets . The entire Russian occupation army consists of such Budanovs".
  • "In Chechnya Russian army ceased to exist as a military structure of state, being transformed into a devilish gang of marauders and killers, the gang intoxicated from narcotics".

Stomakhin pleaded not guilty. According to RIA Novosti, news agency, cited by the Committee to Protect Journalists he said he was "tried for his views and not for any real crime. ... In the articles, I expressed my opinion, with which people were free to agree or disagree." He said an opinion was not a “call to action.”. However, according to the official court sentence, Stomahin pleaded not guilty on the grounds that he never made public appeals for extremist activities, never called for violent change of the constitutional regime, and never incited ethnic hatred .

Commentaries

ARTICLE 19 international organization, which protects free speech, stated that "we do not believe Mr. Stomakhin’s comments can be interpreted as incitement to ethnic hatred." He is currently one of two political prisoners in Russia listed by Committee to Protect Journalists , a member of International Freedom of Expression Exchange.

Valeria Novodvorskaya, government opposition figure, leader of the Democratic Union, claimed that the prosecution of Stomakhin was the start of a wider campaign, "because together with him, the entire human rights sector and the entire democratic movement will be put on trial for disagreeing with the majority, for not accepting the state policy of the Russian Federation, for sympathizing with the Chechen people, for anti-war demonstrations and pickets."

According to Micah H. Naftalin, Director of Union of Councils for Soviet Jews, "Bogus charges aimed at stifling dissent, cruel police tactics, ethnic bias, and blatant disregard for criminal procedural statutes are all on open display. We hope that others will join us in condemning this travesty of justice" . He argued that Stomakhin's sentence was disproportionate, but acknowledged that Stomakhin's statements were radical. He emphasized that Boris Stomakhin did not do anything violent, unlike in many other real hate crime cases that were not prosecuted by Russian authorities.

Soviet dissident Vladimir Bukovsky condemned the conviction of Stomakhin as prosecution of free speech. He noted that many famous Russian writers were very critical of Russian nation and cited Nikolai Chernyshevsky who said that Russians are "a pitiful nation of slaves. We are all slaves, from the top to the bottom "

Widow of Andrei Sakharov Elena Bonner stated that Stomakhin is not guilty in extremism and hate speech, and he is a victim of political prosecution like Soviet dissidents who were prosecuted for their writings by Yuri Andropov.

Former FSB officer, writer, and dissident Aleksander Litvinenko praised Stomakhin as "last conscience of Russia" and supported his views that "Not pacifist wails of 'human rights activists', not agreements and 'negotiations' with executioners and sadists - but only an armed strike!".

Human rights activist Svetlana Gannushkina and politician Valeria Novodvorskaya argued that Stomakhin's writings while outrageous had not been a public threat: they were very unlikely to incite anybody. According to Gannushkina and Novodvorskaya the neofascists who posses a real threat usually receive only minimal sentences or no sentences at all. Thus, the five year prison term to Stomahin is extremely excessive . However, Gannushkina acknowledged that some Stomakhin's articles were "absolutely outrageous" and she disagrees with his writings.

Journalist Vladimir Abarinov criticized court proceedings as an example of Kangaroo court He noted that the criminal case against Stomakhin was opened based on an article about Russian Orthodox Church that was not written by Stomakhin. It was decided by the court that Stomakhin actually copied this article from the Live Journal entry, as well as other publications of numerous news agencies . The authors of the original article were not ever accused of hate crimes. The authors of the original work disagree to share their responsibility with Stomakhin citing that he had reproduced their works without permission and distorted the original meaning

Critics of the court decision were censured by Russian publicist Maxim Sokolov. In his article published in newspaper Izvestia after the conviction of Stomakhin he argued that unlimited hate speech should be prosecuted according to the article 282 of the criminal code. He cited a text allegedly written by Boris Stomakhin, which claimed that "Russian Federation must be destroyed" using using all available violent means including nuclear weapons, because all Russians are collectively responsible for actions of their state with respect to Chechen people. According to Sokolov, the cited passage made application of the article 282 completely appropriate, although this text was never cited as incriminating evidence during the court proceedings.

References

  1. ^ Independent journalist given five-year sentence allegedly for inciting ethnic strife
  2. ^ Official Court Sentence on Russian language dated 20.11.2006
  3. Boris Stomakhin:Victim of the Regime or a Terrorist Radio Liberty Template:Ru icon
  4. Press article Baraev's group was assisted by someone from Moscow
  5. Prima News Agency report
  6. NewsRu Agency report
  7. Lenta.Ru Agency report
  8. Regnum News Agency report
  9. Grani News Agency report
  10. Human Rights Activists Website of Valeria Novodvorskaya article
  11. Center of Extremal Journalism article
  12. RIAN News Agency investigation
  13. RIAN News Agency news article
  14. ARTICLE 19’S STATEMENT ON THE CONVICTION OF RUSSIAN NEWSPAPER EDITOR BORIS STOMAKHIN, 23 November 2006
  15. KAVKAZ-CENTER WRITER APPEALS JAIL SENTENCE - by Jamestown Foundation
  16. UCSJ Calls For Fair Trial of Russian Jewish Activist, statement of UCSJ November 9, 2006)
  17. Open letter by Vladimir Bukovsky and others
  18. Letter by Sannikova and Bonner.
  19. Opinion of Aleksander Litvineko (Russian)
  20. ^ Conviction of Boris Stomakhin: Opinions (Russian) - by Anna Karpuk for grani.ru
  21. Scapegoats - by Valeria Novodvorskaya for grani.ru
  22. Second-hand fascism - by Valeria Novodvorskaya for grani.ru
  23. ^ Stomakhin Case - by Vladimir Abarinov for grani.ru.
  24. Official Court Sentence on Russian language dated 20.11.2006
  25. Maxim Sokolov Trap-282 Izvestia 23 November 2006

External links

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