Urgent Action Update: Lawyer Released on Bail but Threat of Jail Remains (Russian Federation: UA 167.18)

October 25, 2018

Lawyer Mikhail Benyash, who had been detained since 9 September after meeting his client who had taken part in a peaceful protest against pension reforms in Krasnodar, Russia, was released on bail on 23 October. The politically-motivated criminal charges against him are still pending. He faces up to five years imprisonment if found guilty.

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Lawyer Mikhail Benyash, who had been detained since 9 September after meeting his client who had taken part in a peaceful protest against pension reforms in Krasnodar, Russia, was released on bail on 23 October. The politically-motivated criminal charges against him are still pending. He faces up to five years imprisonment if found guilty.

1) TAKE ACTION
Write a letter, send an email, call, fax or tweet:

  • Immediately drop all charges against Mikhail Benyash as they stem solely from his work as a human rights lawyer, and immediately end all criminal proceedings against him;
  • Conduct a thorough, effective and impartial investigation into the circumstances of his arrest and allegations of ill-treatment by the police, and ensure those responsible are brought to justice in fair trials;
  • Guarantee that all lawyers in Russia can carry out their professional duties without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference, in accordance with international standards, including the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers.

Contact these two officials by 6 December, 2018 To:

Minister of Interior
Ministry of the Interior of the Russian Federation
Vladimir Kokoltsev
Ul. Zhitnaya d. 16
119049 Moscow, Russian Federation
Fax: +7 495 667 05 98 (wait for signal)
Salutation: Dear Minister

Ambassador Anatoly Antonov
Embassy of the Russian Federation
2650 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington DC 20007
Phone: 1 202 298 5700 I Fax: 1 202 298 5735
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @RusEmbUSA
Salutation: Dear Ambassador

2) LET US KNOW YOU TOOK ACTION
Click here to let us know if you took action on this case! This is Urgent Action 167.18.
Here’s why it is so important to report your actions: we record the actions taken on each case—letters, emails, calls and tweets—and use that information in our advocacy.

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