June 28, 2021
Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin
President of the Russian Federation
Ul. Ilyinka, 23103132
Moscow, Russian Federation
Fax: +7 495 9102134
Re: Azat Miftakhov, Case #77RS0005-01-2020-002435-77
Dear President Putin:
The Committee of Concerned Scientists is an independent organization of scientists, physicians, engineers, and scholars devoted to the protection and advancement of human rights and scientific freedom for colleagues all over the world.
We are writing to you concerning the prolonged detention of the young mathematician Azat Miftakhov and his condemnation on January 18, 2021 to a sentence of six years in a general regime penal colony, confirmed on June 9, 2021 (case #77RS0005-01-2020-002435-77). From published reports this case appears to originate in an act of vandalism. The case has taken a very long time to conclude, and the full decision of January 18, 2021 has still not been published.
Azat Miftakhov is a promising young mathematician, a laureate of an international mobility program of the Fondation Mathématique Jacques Hadamard and the Laboratoire de Mathématiques d’Orsay which serves to fund a period of research studies for talented international PhD students under the direction of a mathematician belonging to a FMJH-affiliated laboratory; he is also an honorary student of Paris-Sarclay University with an open invitation to complete his doctoral studies there under good conditions.
Early release of Azat Miftakhov would serve the interests of the development of Russian science and international scientific cooperation.
We, therefore, urge you to consider a pardon and rapid release of Azat Miftakhov, who has now been detained for well over two years at an important stage in his scientific development.
We thank you for your attention and consideration of this case. Developments in this case will be closely followed by the Committee.
Sincerely,
Joel L. Lebowitz, Paul H. Plotz, Walter Reich, Eugene M. Chudnovsky, Alexander Greer
Co-Chairs, Committee of Concerned Scientists
Cc:
Ambassador Anatoly Antonov
Embassy of the Russian Federation
2650 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20007
Phone: 1 202 298 5700
Fax: 1 202 298 5735
Email: rusembusa@mid.ru