Hands off Kirov trade unionists!
By Steve Myers
Russian labour activists Sergei Salnikov and Maksim Karpikov, leaders of the independent trade union Zaschita (Defence) in Kirov, have been arrested for distributing leaflets asking people not to vote for acting president Vladimir Putin in Russia's presidential election.
Putin is intensifying political repression before the March 26 election. In Russia's "market democracy", Putin aims to stamp out all dissent. Once reelected, he will consolidate authoritarian rule and embark on a draconian onslaught against the rights of workers.
Salnikov, editor of Workers Gazette, is also a deputy in the Kirov regional parliament. On March 23, the courts will decide whether or not to strip him of his parliamentary immunity and prosecute him. Karpikov, an organiser of the student branch of Zaschita, has already been fined and will appeal.
Putin must not be allowed to get away with this attack on the labour movement and on basic democratic rights. A regime that makes it illegal to vote against the president is a dictatorship, pure and simple.
Please protest immediately to: 1. Vladimir Sergeenkov, the Head Regional Administration Russia, 610019 Kirov, ul., Karla Libknekhta 69, fax: +7 (8332) 62-89-58, e-mail: <press@ako.kirov.ru>. 2. Mikhail Mikheev, Chairman, Kirov Regional Duma, Head Regional Administration Russia, 610019 Kirov, ul., Karla Libknekhta 69, fax: +7 (8332) 62-48-00. 3. Valery Kalinin, Chairman, Kirov Regional Court, Russia, 610000, Kirov ul., Drelevskogo 20, fax +7 (8332) 62-92-74.
Please send copies of protest messages to International Solidarity with Workers in Russia at <ISWoR@aol.com>. Visit <http://members.aol.com/ISWoR/english/index.html>.