Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09VLADIVOSTOK82
2009-07-27 01:22:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Consulate Vladivostok
Cable title:
WIFE OF JAILED ANTI-CORRUPTION FIGHTER SPEAKS
how-toVZCZCXRO6686 RR RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHCHI RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHFK RUEHFL RUEHHM RUEHIK RUEHKSO RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHNAG RUEHNP RUEHPB RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSK RUEHSL RUEHSR RUEHYG DE RUEHVK #0082 2080122 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 270122Z JUL 09 FM AMCONSUL VLADIVOSTOK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1178 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHXD/MOSCOW POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHZU/ASIAN PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION COLLECTIVE RUEHVK/AMCONSUL VLADIVOSTOK 1283
UNCLAS VLADIVOSTOK 000082
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON PGOV PHUM RS
SUBJECT: WIFE OF JAILED ANTI-CORRUPTION FIGHTER SPEAKS
REF: VLADIVOSTOK 079
UNCLAS VLADIVOSTOK 000082
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON PGOV PHUM RS
SUBJECT: WIFE OF JAILED ANTI-CORRUPTION FIGHTER SPEAKS
REF: VLADIVOSTOK 079
1. Consulate FSN met with Natalya Astafyeva, ex-wife of
currently detained anti-corruption fighter Aleksandr Astafyev,
on July 23 to discuss her ex-husband's case. She informed FSN
that a special commission has been sent from MVD headquarters in
Moscow to Vladivostok to investigate Astafyev's case. The
commission will be working on behalf of the prosecution, so
Astafyeva does not expect objectivity. She sees it as a good
sign, however, that the investigators came from Moscow instead
of the regional headquarters in Khabarovsk, since it was that
office which brought the original charges against him.
2. She expressed confidence in lawyer Yaroslav Gerin that he is
using all his contacts here and in Moscow to help his client.
Gerin is a familiar face to the Consulate and came to our
attention during his legal defense of journalist Grigoriy Pasko
in late 1990s. Pasko had been reporting on Russian Navy ships
that were leaking nuclear waste into the Sea of Japan. After
selling an incriminating video to Japanese broadcaster NHK, he
was convicted of espionage and served seven years in jail.
3. Astafyeva told FSN that her ex-husband was able to call her
from the detention center and that he hopes to immigrate to the
U.S., since he feels that Russia will not be safe for him even
if he is somehow acquitted. She expressed gratitude when
informed by FSN that that Moscow and Washington are aware of the
case and that the Washington Post has covered it. She did not
report problems or harassment against family members, including
her son, who is currently serving in a low level position with
the Border Guard Service.
MILLER
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON PGOV PHUM RS
SUBJECT: WIFE OF JAILED ANTI-CORRUPTION FIGHTER SPEAKS
REF: VLADIVOSTOK 079
1. Consulate FSN met with Natalya Astafyeva, ex-wife of
currently detained anti-corruption fighter Aleksandr Astafyev,
on July 23 to discuss her ex-husband's case. She informed FSN
that a special commission has been sent from MVD headquarters in
Moscow to Vladivostok to investigate Astafyev's case. The
commission will be working on behalf of the prosecution, so
Astafyeva does not expect objectivity. She sees it as a good
sign, however, that the investigators came from Moscow instead
of the regional headquarters in Khabarovsk, since it was that
office which brought the original charges against him.
2. She expressed confidence in lawyer Yaroslav Gerin that he is
using all his contacts here and in Moscow to help his client.
Gerin is a familiar face to the Consulate and came to our
attention during his legal defense of journalist Grigoriy Pasko
in late 1990s. Pasko had been reporting on Russian Navy ships
that were leaking nuclear waste into the Sea of Japan. After
selling an incriminating video to Japanese broadcaster NHK, he
was convicted of espionage and served seven years in jail.
3. Astafyeva told FSN that her ex-husband was able to call her
from the detention center and that he hopes to immigrate to the
U.S., since he feels that Russia will not be safe for him even
if he is somehow acquitted. She expressed gratitude when
informed by FSN that that Moscow and Washington are aware of the
case and that the Washington Post has covered it. She did not
report problems or harassment against family members, including
her son, who is currently serving in a low level position with
the Border Guard Service.
MILLER