[EGP] EGP PRESS RELEASE : EGP condemns attacks on anti-nuclear activists in Irkutsk, Russia

01.08.2007

European Greens condemn attacks on anti-nuclear activists in Irkutsk, Russia

The Spokespersons of the European Green Party today condemned the violent attack on a group of environmental activists in the Russian region of Irkutsk which occurred on Saturday 21^st July. The attack by a group of extreme rightwing skinheads resulted in the death of environmental activist Ilia Bondarenko and many other people suffered serious injuries.

EGP Co-Spokesperson Ulrike Lunacek said: “We were shocked to hear of the brutal murder of Ilia Bondarenko. We would like to send our condolences to Ilia’s family and friends. As far as we understand it, a group of anti-nuclear activists had set up a camp near Angarsk to protest against the building of a nuclear enrichment facility there. In the early hours of the morning, a group of skinheads attacked the camp with baseball bats, hammers, iron rods and an axe.”

EGP Co-Spokesperson Philippe Lamberts continued: “By all accounts this was a horrific attack and is yet another worrying example of the growing problem of extreme rightwing violence in Russia. The Russian authorities must take much more decisive action to combat such violence and the attitudes which feed it. We also urge the Russian government to respect the rights of freedom of assembly and freedom of _expression_; rights which are a crucial part of every democracy.”

The Spokespersons added that they will be writing to the Russian Ambassador to the European Union to express their concerns about this case.

Graham Burgess

Communications Officer

European Green Party

email:graham.burgess@europeangreens.org

Tel no: +32 2 626 0724

Mobile no: +32 477 902 023