Sergey Eduardovich Zuev, rector of the Moscow School of Social and Economic Sciences (MSSES), was arrested on November 9 and is now on trial for allegedly embezzling government funds. Scholars around the world suspect that the charges have been invented to punish MSSES for accepting foreign grants.
December 13, 2021
Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, President
Russian Federation
Ulitsa Ilyinka, 23
103132, Moscow
Fax: +7 (495) 910-2134
Twitter: @KremlinRussia
Dear President Putin:
The Committee of Concerned Scientists is an independent organization of scientists, physicians, engineers, and scholars devoted to protecting and advancing human rights and scientific freedom for colleagues around the world.
This communication concerns Sergey Eduardovich Zuev, who has been the rector of the Moscow School of Social and Economic Sciences (“MSSES”) for the past ten years. Under his leadership, the university has developed a strong reputation as a leading global research institution, one of the best in Russia for the humanities and social sciences.
Zuev was arrested on November 9 and is now on trial for allegedly embezzling 21 million rubles of government funding for projects carried out by MSSES.
The Committee is concerned that these charges are intended to punish MSSES for accepting foreign grant money. Many scholars, including academics from the Russian Academy of Sciences, have voiced support for Zuev and expressed disbelief that he has done anything illegal.
We write to urge you to ensure that Zuev is treated fairly, especially in light of his advanced age and the fact that he suffers from coronary heart disease. He must be allowed to return to house arrest or a hospital and to have independent legal representation. We further urge that whatever legal proceedings are held in his case meet international standards for fair trials. If the charges are simply political in origin, he must be released immediately and unconditionally.
Thank you for your attention to this serious matter. We will closely follow developments in this case.
Sincerely,
Joel L. Lebowitz, Paul H. Plotz, Walter Reich,
Eugene M. Chudnovsky, Alexander Greer
Co-Chairs, Committee of Concerned Scientists
Cc:
Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
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Washington, D.C. 20520
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Ambassador Anatoly Antonov
Embassy of the Russian Federation
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Tatyana Moskalkova, Human Rights Ombudsperson
of the Russian Federation
Ulitsa Miasnitskaia, 47,
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Ambassador John J. Sullivan
United States Embassy
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Fax: +7 (495) 6728-5090