OSCE Media Representative concerned over case of Russian journalists accused of divulging state secrets

VIENNA, 17 July 2003 - The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Freimut Duve, expressed his concern over two journalists of the daily newspaper Zvezda (Perm, Russia), Konstantin Sterledev and Konstantin Bakharev, who were accused by the regional secret service authorities (FSB) of divulging state secrets. Their trial started on 20 June in Perm.

According to information provided to Mr. Duve's Office by several Russian and international non-governmental organizations, Mr. Sterledev and Mr. Bakharev published in autumn 2002 two articles about methods allegedly employed by the regional office of the FSB. After the publication of these articles, the editorial offices of Zvezda were searched by FSB officers and its journalists interrogated.

In his letter to the Russian Foreign Minister, Igor Ivanov, and to the President's Plenipotentiary in the Privolzhsky Federal District, Sergey Kirienko, Mr. Duve expressed his hope to receive their views on this case.