Vladimir Vladimirovich
President of the Russian Federation
Ul. Ilyinka, 23
103132 Moscow,
Russian Federation
Fax: +7 495 9102134
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 in regard to the arrest of Professor Yefim Khazanov, the Deputy Director of the Institute of Applied Physics, head of the Division of Nonlinear Dynamics and Optics at the University of Nizhny Novgorod, and Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Only two and a half years ago, Professor Khazanov was awarded the State Prize of the Russian Federation.
Professor Khazanov has now been detained by police while at work, and accused of reposting communications on social media about Alexei Navalny. Reports state that he is being charged for organizing a public event without notifying, or getting permission from, the appropriate entities. His social media page reports that he has been released, but with an obligation to appear in court. We request in the strongest terms that the case against Professor Khazanov be nullified.
In this case, Professor Khazanov has been arrested under questionable circumstances and it is unclear whether or not he will be treated with humane consideration. Specifically, we urge you to direct that all present and forthcoming judgments against Professor Khazanov be ended, and that no harmful actions should be taken against him regarding his job and life.
We hope that you reconsider the important matter of Professor Khazanov’s arrest, and we thank you for your attention. Any 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 Ave. NW,
Washington, DC 20007
Phone: 1 202 298 5700 I Fax: 1 202 298 5735
Email: rusembusa@mid.ru