Strasbourg, 05/07/2002 (Agence Europe) - Adopting an emergency resolution in Strasbourg on Thursday, the European Parliament described the case of Grigori Pasko who has been condemned to four years in gaol for treason by a Russian military tribunal as a considerable step backwards in the establishment of the primacy of law. MEPs called for support from the Duma and President Putin to get the Russian authorities to release Mr Pasko without delay. The EP also calls on the Commission to remain vigilant in terms of the environment concerning the disposal of toxic waste in the framework of the TACIS programme. The democratic side of TACIS should provide an opportunity for the EU to support plans for freedom of expression and independent media and judicial power, adds the resolution.
German Christian Democrat MEP Bernd Posselt said that all Grigori Pasko had done was to denounce a crime in articles on environmental damage caused by the Russian navy. He added that the Pasko case was a test of the rule of law in Russia and "our attitude is a test for the EU's credibility".