European historians of the Warsaw-based organization Center Karta asked the Prosecutor of Karelia Karen Gabrielyan to release Yuri Dmitriev from custody and to ensure that 'his rights are respected in accordance with Russian and international legislation in the field of human rights, and the right to a fair trial above all'. The news was published on the organization's website.
'The arrest (and detention) of Yuri Dmitriev on the basis of hardly probable accusations aroused great resonance in the academic circles of historians and cultural figures in Poland and other European countries. We are concerned about reports that state-controlled media represent Dmitriev's case in a way that is aimed at damaging not only his reputation, but also the reputation of the authoritative non-governmental organization 'Memorial',' Karta wrote.
Civil activists noted that in case their request is not fulfilled, they intend to 'initiate a campaign to include those involved in the criminal prosecution of Dmitriev in the Magnitsky Act.'
The Karelian prosecutor's office sent a response to the claimed demands of Polish historians (available to the editorial office of «7x7»), stating that 'during the investigation of the criminal case investigator did not violate requirements of the articles of the criminal procedure law', and also that 'the prosecutor's office is not authorized to take the decision to release persons who are in specially designated places on legal grounds'; representatives of the Prosecutor's Office of Karelia considered the intention to initiate a campaign to include people involved in the investigation of the case of Dmitriev in the Magnitsky Act a pressure on the bodies of preliminary investigation.
The Warsaw non-governmental organization Center Karta was established in 1982. It deals with the modern history of Europe, work in the largest archives and educational activities. Employees of Karta are trying to convey important information about the latest history of Poland and Central and Eastern Europe to the general public and government agencies. In August 2015, on the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Political Repressions, the Polish Ambassador to Russia Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz presented Dmitriev with the Polish Order 'Golden Cross of Merit' — for the work to preserve memory and for the service to the Polish people.
The historian and chairman of the Karelian branch of the international society 'Memorial' Yuri Dmitriev was arrested on December 13, 2016. He was accused of producing pornographic materials depicting minors. Scientists, human rights activists, journalists, Orthodox priests and participants of the International Days of Remembrance of the Victims of the Great Terror spoke in his support.
Gleb Yarovoy, «7x7»
