Journalist and human rights activist Alexandr Podrabinek has gone into hiding because of death threats after publishing an article about the current Government’s defense of the former Soviet Union’s crimes against the Russian people. His wife, Alla Podrabinek, has alleged that the entire family was the target of a campaign of intimidation “either on the direct orders of the Russian authorities or with at least their tacit accord.” The websites of youth movements that support Prime Minister Vladimir Putin such as Nashi (Ours!) and United Russia Young Guard (which is linked to Putin’s party) have been publishing hate slogans against the article and Podrabinek, some of them of a racist and anti-semitic nature. They have also posted his phone number and urged people to call him.
We urged the Russian authorities you to issue warnings against violence to Podrabinek’s person or family and to make it clear that threats to his life and safety will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.