Final victory for Aleksandr Nikitin

In Russia the Supreme Court Presidium dismissed the appeal from the General Prosecutor’s Office Wednesday, 11:20 Moscow time. The prosecution has used up the possibilities to reverse the acquittal of Aleksandr Nikitin. The case that has been lasting for almost five years is finally over.

Aleksandr Nikitin was charged with high treason and disclosure of state secrets by the Russian Security Police, FSB, for co-authoring Bellona report on radwaste hazards in the Russian Northern Fleet. Nikitin was fully acquitted in December 1999. The acquittal verdict was upheld by the Russian Supreme Court in April 2000. In May 2000, the Prosecutor General’s Office appealed the acquittal to the Presidium of the Supreme Court.

More information and background is available from Bellona