Urgent Action: Lawyer assaulted and arbitrarily detained in Russia
On 9 September, lawyer Mikhail Benyash was arrested, beaten and detained by police after meeting his client who had taken part in a peaceful protest in Krasnodar, a city in the south of Russia. A court convicted and sentenced Mikhail Benyash to 14 days in administrative detention on 11 September. He is a prisoner of conscience and must be immediately and unconditionally released.
Take action
Write calling on Russian authorities to:
- Immediately and unconditionally release Mikhail Benyash as has been detained solely in connection to his work as a human rights lawyer;
- Conduct a thorough, effective and impartial investigation into the circumstances of his arrest and allegations of ill-treatment by the police, and ensure those suspected to be responsible are brought to justice in fair trials;
- Guarantee that all lawyers in Russia can carry out their professional duties without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference, in accordance with international standards, including the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers.
Contact these officials before 24 October:
Minister of Interior
Ministry of the Interior of the Russian Federation
Vladimir Kokoltsev
Ul. Zhitnaya d. 16
119049 Moscow, Russian Federation
Fax: +7 495 667 05 98 (wait for signal)
Salutation: Dear Minister
Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation
Yuriy Yakovlevich Chaika
Prosecutor General’s Office
Ul. B. Dmitrovka, d.15a
125993 Moscow GSP-3, Russian Federation
Fax: +7495 987 58 41/ +7495 692 17 25
Salutation: Dear Prosecutor General
And copies to:
Russian Federal Chamber of Lawyers
Yuriy Pilipenko
43 Sivtsev Vrazhek Lane
119002 Moscow, Russian Federation
Email: mail@fparf.ru
Salutation: Dear President
and:
HIS EXCELLENCY MR ALEXANDER VLADIMIROVICH YAKOVENKO
Embassy of Russia
6-7 Kensington Palace Gardens
London
W8 4QP
info@rusemb.org.uk
020 7229 6412