AAAS Scientific Responsibility, Human Rights and Law Program

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AAAS Human Rights Action Network

FACTS OF THE CASE:

On 12 September 2000, the Presidium of Russia's Supreme Court dismissed the Prosecutor General's appeal against the earlier acquittal of Aleksandr Nikitin. There is every indication that the end of Nikitin's five-year legal nightmare is finally over.

Those who have followed the case may remember that many times in the last year it seemed that the case against Nikitin's was finally over. In December 1999, a St. Petersburg City Court acquitted Nikitin of all charges of espionage. The Prosecutor General appealed the ruling to the Supreme Court, which upheld the acquittal. The Supreme Court's decision was celebrated as a victory for the rule of law in Russia, and it was widely expected that the prosecution would not appeal the decision.

However, the prosecution did try one last attempt to reverse the decision, and filed an appeal that was based ironically on an attempt to reinvestigate the case in order to remedy possible violations of Nikitin's rights in the previous court cases. The Supreme Court denied this last attempt. The ruling is final and cannot be overturned.

Nikitin and members of the Bellona foundation expressed their joy and great relief that the legal battle is now over. In a reception celebrating the verdict, Bellona legal advisor Jon Gauslaa toasted not only the defense team and Nikitin's supporters, but also the Russian courts stating, "It may have taken them too long time to determine the case, but that does not make the victory less sweet."

Nikitin has stated that now that the five-year ordeal is finally over, he can focus on his environmental work again.

(Sources of Information for this case include: Bellona, Amnesty International)

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Many thanks to all who sent appeals. No further action is requested at this time.

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