The treason trial of Gregorii Pasko in Vladivostok draws to an end with an unexpected outcome and the security services under the spotlight

Published: 7/26/1999

The recent dropping of treason charges against Grigorii Pasko cannot be underestimated according to DJ Paterson of the Rand Institute as it gives hope about the development of civil society in the Wild East of Russia and suggests that the security services are not getting everything their own way. In contrast to the highly publicised case centred on the open city of St Petersburg, of environmental campaigner Alexander Nikitin, a well-known lawyer who has benefited from a well-coordinated campaign of support from both within and without Russia. The Pasko trial took place in Vladivostok, until relatively recently a closed city dominated by the Pacific Fleet, and considered to be a centre of Russian security culture and xenophobia. Not the best ground for a 'fair' trial, particularly given the nature of Pasko's offence involving the sale of video footage of the dumping of radioactive waste into the Sea of Japan to a Japanese TV station. It was however, a Pacific Fleet judge who acquitted Pasko of treason and espionage and he referred several charges of misconduct by the prosecution to the head of the FSB division for Pacific Fleet. Obviously agreeing with the charges made by Pasko's defence during the trial. Pasko's conviction on lesser charges appear in these circumstances however, seems difficult to explain Meanwhile in the more 'open' St Petersburg, several civil judges, as well as the Constitutional Court, have allowed Nikitin to be charged with espionage for the eighth time.

Article ID: 698