INTERPOL REJECTS RUSSIA’S SECOND REQUEST TO ARREST WILLIAM BROWDER

Press Release

26 July 2013 – Today, the General Secretariat of Interpol has announced that Interpol cannot be used by the Russian Federation to arrest William Browder, who is running a global justice campaign to sanction Russian officials responsible for the torture and murder of 37-year old lawyer Sergei Magnitsky.

“INTERPOL cannot be used by the Russian Federation to seek the arrest of Mr William Browder,” said Interpol’s General Secretariat in the official announcement posted on its website (http://www.interpol.int/News-and-media/News-media-releases/2013/N20130726).

The public statement from Interpol came a day after the Russian Interior Ministry announced that it had sent a request to Interpol to search for Mr Browder on orders from the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office. The news of the Russian authorities targeting Mr Browder with one more international search warrant was covered by 139 news outlets in several hours since its release.

This morning Interpol’s General Secretariat refused the Russian Federation’s request to search for and arrest Mr Browder in order to extradite him back to Russia because the Russian proceedings in relation to Mr Browder have already been found by the Interpol’s governing bodies to be “of a predominantly political nature” and “contrary to INTERPOL’s rules and regulations” following a review held in May 2013 by the Interpol’s Commission for the Control of Files. In accordance with the Commission’s recommendation, the General Secretariat of Interpol has deleted all information related to the Russian request concerning Mr Browder from its information systems.

“All information related to this request for Mr Browder’s arrest has been deleted from INTERPOL’s databases and all INTERPOL member countries have been informed accordingly,” said Interpol’s General Secretariat in its official statement.

“It is remarkable that Putin has become so desperate to persecute whistleblowers that he is ready to humiliate himself and Russia in front of key international organizations. The fast response from INTERPOL in this case is an indication that it has put in place effective systems to protect themselves from Putin’s attemtps to draw them into his own corrupt political vendettas”,said a Hermitage Capital representative.

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Law and Order in Russia

Bulgarian Prime Minister Oresharski Refuses Resignation Amidst Continued Protests

By Ben Kopp
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

SOPHIA, Bulgaria – Despite recent protests, Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski vowed to continue his administration of the country, even if low public support delays much needed reform. European Commission spokesman Olivier Bailly simultaneously called for public order and the continued right of public demonstration.

Thousands of Bulgarians barricaded lawmakers in the parliament building during a seven-week-long protest. (Photo courtesy of Reuters)

Currently, a number of problems plague Bulgaria’s aging population, including an ineffective market and failing health care and education systems. Tax collection and revenue agency reforms are also areas of concern.

In February 2013, Bulgaria’s former Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) government collapsed following protests over low living standards and high utility bills. By May, without backing from another party, GERB reclaimed an electoral majority. However, the BSP, which won second place, received support from another party in the legislature for Oresharski’s rise to power.

In June, demonstrators protested the Socialist government’s decision to appoint, without debate, a “media magnate” the head of the National Security Council. Even after parliament cancelled the appointment, protests have continued for nearly seven weeks in Sofia. Of thousands of Bulgarian protesters, most are young and well-educated anti-corruption demonstrators.

Most of the protests had been peaceful and overshadowed in international media by concurrent violence in Brazil, Turkey, and Egypt.

On 23 July 2013, protesters trapped more than 100 lawmakers, ministers, and journalists inside the parliament building. Protesters used paving stones, street signs, and park benches as barricades. Despite injuries to several protesters and at least one police officer, the rally continued for over eight hours. The streets rang with thousands shouting “Resign! Mafia!” Around 3:00AM, police escorted lawmakers away in vans.

A government decision to borrow nearly $700 million sparked the demonstrators’ decision to barricade lawmakers inside parliament.

“We want people in the parliament to start thinking about the people, and not only for their own pockets,” said demonstrator Anna Grozdanova.

“People’s patience has run out,” said Bulgarian cultural expert Alexander Kiossev, who recently protested in Sofia. “This patience has several times been overstretched by this government and previous ones.”

European Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding openly sympathized with “Bulgarian citizens who are protesting on the streets against corruption.”

According to a recent poll, Oresharki’s coalition has the highest disapproval rating of any incoming Bulgarian government since 1997. Amidst protesters calling for Oresharki’s resignation, political analysts have predicted that the government will not last long because the Attack Party, while necessary for passing legislation, continues to push an anti-EU and anti-NATO agenda.

“When we speak of resignation,” said Oresharski, “that is an easy personal decision to make but would be irresponsible for the country… I have heard no convincing arguments explaining how resignation would automatically solve the problems of the country.”

Oresharski added that while protests have forced his government to be more effective, they have made enacting major reforms difficult. Nevertheless, he vowed to maintain fiscal rigor and help spur economic growth.

As demonstrated, however, if the corruption allegations are true, the Bulgarian people will not want the major reforms offered to them.

For more information, please see:

The Guardian – Bulgaria’s ‘Class War’ – 26 July 2013

Reuters – Bulgaria PM Refuses to Quit, Says Protests Hamper Reforms – 26 July 2013

TIME World – A Bulgarian Spring? Entrenched Protests Challenge Eastern Europe’s Status Quo – 26 July 2013

Deutsche Welle – Kiossev: ‘There’s a moral solidarity in Bulgaria’ – 25 July 2013

Reuters – Bulgaria Parliament Siege Escalates Political Crisis – 24 July 2013

Egypt’s interim interior minister warns dispersal of all protests in the wake of one of the deadliest pro-Morsi protests

By Darrin Simmons
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

CAIRO, Egypt – Following the aftermath of the ousting of former Egyptian President, Mohamed Morsi, dozens were killed in a clash between pro-Morsi protestors and the Egyptian Army.  The attack occurred early Saturday morning and carried on for several hours.

(photo courtesy of Aljazeera)

Two sides to the details of the attack and how much carnage actually occurred have been circulated.  The government is claiming that no live rounds were used and security forces only relied on tear gas, putting the death toll at 65. However, protestors claim the army was shooting to kill.

A Brotherhood spokesman, who witnessed the shooting, stated that, “When I arrived, bullets were whizzing past my ears…Today was brutal, people were fired at with live firearms.” The Brotherhood is also claiming that the death toll is as high as 120.

Medics at a nearby field hospital reported that nearly 70% of the deaths were caused by live fire with most of the victims being shot in the chest, neck, or head by what they believed to be snipers shooting from surrounding rooftops.

Doctor Hesham Ibrahim stated, “They were mostly killed by bullet wounds especially by snipers, especially in the head.  We have nearly cut throats, just like animals.”  Other doctors claimed that they were not equipped nor have a proper facility to treat all of the wounded.

A CBS News Reporter stated, “There was blood everywhere in the morgue.  Volunteers tried futility to mop it up with rags, only smearing it across the floor.  Relatives sobbed over their loved ones.  Women shrieked. The crowd outside chanted ‘down with the military regime.’ The stench of blood and the heat of the people was overwhelming.”

Egypt’s interim interior minister, Mohammed Ibrahim, warned pro-Morsi protestors that they will all soon be dispersed from the sit-ins throughout Cairo.  He claimed that lawsuits filed by residents near the protests provide legal grounds for removal of the protesters.

Acting to ensure “the minimum losses possible,” Ibrahim spoke at a news conference on Saturday, insisting the security force’s main goal is to “prevent bloodshed.”  “We hope that the protesters come to their sense and that they put an end to these protests in order to prevent bloodshed,” added Ibrahim.

However, two leading political figures who supported the army’s removal of Morsi, have condemned Saturday’s shooting.  The highest Sunni Muslim authority in Egypt, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar mosque, has called for an investigation, while Mohamed El Baradei, the president of the interim government, claimed that excessive force had been used.

Catherine Ashton, the European Union Foreign Policy Chief, has urged all sides to stop the violence.  A spokeswoman for Ashton stated, “Ashton is following with concern the latest developments in Egypt and deeply deplores the loss of life…she also calls on all actors to refrain from violence and to respect the principles of peaceful protest and non-violence.”

Should the number of 120 deaths be confirmed, Saturday’s killings will be the deadliest bout since Morsi was deposed and detained by security forces over three weeks ago.

For more information, please see the following: 

Aljazeera – Egypt official warns pro-Morsi protesters – July 27, 2013

BBC News – Egypt minister: Pro-Morsi protesters to be dispersed – July 27, 2013

CBS News – Pro-Mohammed Morsi protesters, army-backed demonstrators clash in Egypt– July 27, 2013

Reuters – EU’s Ashton deplores deaths in Egypt, urges halt to violence – July 27, 2013

Death Toll Over 100,000 in Syria Conflict

By Thomas Murphy
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

DAMASCUS, Syria – On Thursday, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said that over 100,000 people have now been killed in the conflict in Syria.  The UN Chief appealed to all parties involved to begin new peace talks as he addressed the media before a meeting with United States Secretary of State John Kerry.

Heavy weaponry used in urban in areas has produced a large number of the casualties. (Photo Courtesy of Getty Images)

“More than 100,000 people have been killed, millions of people have either been displaced or become refugees in neighbouring countries,” Ban said. “We have to bring this to an end. The military and violent actions must be stopped by both parties, and it is thus imperative to have a peace conference in Geneva as soon as possible.”

Kerry also addressed the reporters stating that he had recently spoken with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and that both countries remained committed to a peaceful outcome.

“There is no military solution to Syria,” Kerry told reporters. “There is only a political solution, and that will require leadership in order to bring people to the table. We will try our hardest to make that happen as soon as is possible,” Kerry said.

In the past, peace conferences have been delayed because of disagreements between Russia and the US and uncertainty as to whether the all of the Syrian parties to the conflict would show up.

The announcement occurred shortly after a car bomb was detonated in the al-Siyouf Square in the Jaramanah disctrict of Damascus.  Reports have the number of deaths ranging from seven to as many as seventeen with dozens injured.

The UN death toll estimate marked a significant increase from last month’s estimate of 93,000 killed in the conflict.  The UN has stressed that their numbers are an underestimate.

The death toll is not the only startling statistic that has been released by the UN.  In May, it was reported that more than one-and-a-half million had fled Syria and another four million were displaced within the country.

While Ban and Kerry pushed for peace talks, the rebel opposition called for more military support from the US.  Opposition Syrian National Coalition president Ahmad Jarba said that the rebels have a “right to self-defense” and need further support as the situation has grown “desperate” after regime advances.

For further information, please see:

CNN – Opposition presses for weapons as Syria death toll tops 100,000 – 26 July 2013

Al Jazeera – UN: Syria death toll rises above 100,000 – 25 July 2013

BBC – Syria death toll now above 100,000, says UN chief Ban – 25 July 2013

Global Post – Syria death toll tops 100,000 – 25 July 2013