Sep 24, 2019 | News
The ICJ today called for an end to criminal proceedings against Dagir Hasavov, a prominent Russian lawyer facing prosecution on allegations of obstruction of justice.
On 17 September, less than a week after lawyer Dmitriy Sotnikov was physically attacked in court, Dagir Hasavov was detained by police in the Lefortovo court building in Moscow. He was charged with “obstruction of justice” and “bribery or coercion to testify or evasion of giving evidence” (articles 294.1 and 309.4 of the Russian Criminal Code). On 18 September, Moscow Basmanny court authorised the detention of Hasavov until 16 November.
“There are strong indications that these charges are spurious and that the arrest of Dagir Hasavov is an attempt to obstruct him in carrying out his professional duties, and to prevent his clients from having a fair trial. The proceedings should be discontinued and he should be immediately released.” said Róisín Pillay, ICJ Europe and Central Asia Programme Director. “Such arrests also send a clear message of intimidation to other lawyers. Without urgent measures to end harassment of lawyers, the ability of the legal profession to protect human rights will be increasingly jeopardized”.
Dagir Khasavov represented the former Dagestan Prime Minister Abdusamad Hamidov, who was detained together with his deputy Rayudin Yusufov by the FSB in February 2018 as part of a special anti-corruption operation and was charged with multiple criminal offences, including embezzlement.
Prosecutors allege that Dagir Hasavov threatened Albert Havchaev, a witness in the trial, and attempted to coerce him to testify in court for the benefit of the defence. Hasavov’s home was also searched.
Eduard Isetskiy, another lawyer of the former Dagestan Prime Minister, has stated that after the arrest of Hasavov he and other colleagues were told by investigators that they would face similar prosecution. He added that towards the end of a trial, about a week before the Hasavov’s arrest, the State Prosecutor on the case was replaced and the courtroom became increasingly surrounded with armed and masked security forces. The new prosecutor called lawyers “extremists” and filed a motion to have all their social networks accounts blocked.
Any criminal proceedings against the lawyer amounting to harassment or reprisals for his professional activities would constitute not only an assault on the legal profession in the Russian Federation, but also a violation of the right to a fair trial, protected under international human rights law.
Moreover, international standards on the rights of lawyers, including the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers, provide that governments must ensure that lawyers “are able to perform all of their professional functions without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference” and “shall not suffer, or be threatened with, prosecution or administrative, economic or other sanctions for any action taken in accordance with recognized professional duties, standards and ethics.”
The ICJ stresses that these attacks, arrests and criminal proceedings that have been taking place in Russia lately, create a chilling effect on the proper exercise of professional duties by lawyers, endangering the right to a fair trial and undermining the justice system.
Additional information:
Dagir Hasavov is a prominent lawyer in Russia who has taken many cases dealing with allegations of religious extremism or terrorism. He has defended among others the Moscow imam Mahmud Velitov, convicted for justification of terrorism; the former representative of the President in Sakhalin oblast charged with extremism; several persons accused of participation in Hizb ut-Tahrir, the organization banned in Russia. He also represented pro bono the parents of a murdered 5-year-old Tajik girl Huvaido Tillozoda.
It has been reported that around 100 lawyers are joining together to defend Hasavov as the Russian legal community has realized the need for corporate solidarity in the face of the increasing threats to the security of lawyers and independence of the profession.
Sep 24, 2019 | Events, News
The side event aims to identify current threats against lawyers’ professional rights and guarantees in the OSCE region.
The speakers will identify and analyze the current trends through a discussion of recently gathered data and specific cases of violation of lawyers’ rights from Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Moldova, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Russia and Belarus. They will also make recommendations regarding the way forward to increase protection for lawyers and the independent legal profession in these countries and the OSCE region as a whole.
A flyer for the event is available here.
The agenda for the event available here.
Sep 20, 2019 | News
The ICJ today expressed concern at the killing of lawyer Derk Wiersum, who was shot on 18 September 2019 in broad daylight in front of his home in Amsterdam.
Derk Wiersum was representing a key witness for the prosecution in a high-profile criminal trial against 16 members of a criminal organization, accused of five murders and an attempted murder between 2015 and 2017.
The Netherlands’ counter-terrorism agency, NCTV, is leading a team of police and prosecutors carrying out an investigation into the killing; other lawyers and officials involved in the case have been put under emergency protection.
“The killing of a lawyer, apparently in connection with his work, raises serious concern both for security of lawyers and for the rule of law. We welcome the prompt measures taken by the Dutch authorities to initiate an investigation into this crime, which should lead to the identification and prosecution of the perpetrators. It is also crucial that measures be taken to ensure the safety of other lawyers and other individuals who may be at risk,” said Róisín Pillay, ICJ Europe Programme Director.
Dutch lawyers, prosecutors and judges have issued a joint statement expressing their shock and raising concern at the threat of this attack to the country’s legal system.
Additional information:
International human rights law, including the European Convention on Human Rights to which the Netherlands is a party, requires that States take steps to protect the life and physical integrity of persons who they know or ought to know are at real risk of violence.
According to the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers, governments must ensure that lawyers are able to perform all of their professional functions without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference (principle 16). The UN Basic Principles specify that “[w]here the security of lawyers is threatened as a result of discharging their functions, they shall be adequately safeguarded by the authorities” (principle 17).
Sep 20, 2019 | Новости, Статьи
МКЮ призывает власти Российской Федерации провести тщательное и независимое расследование в связи с применением физической силы в отношении адвоката Дмитрия Сотникова со стороны сотрудников суда, а затем – полиции.
Оба инцидента имели место 12 сентября этого года и тесно связаны между собой. МКЮ также призывает российские власти привлечь к ответственности виновных в нападении на адвоката. Государственным органам следует принять эффективные меры, чтобы предотвратить подобные нападения в будущем, а также обеспечить, что адвокатам не будут чинить препятствий при представлении интересов своих доверителей, как этого требует закон.
«Применение физической силы в отношении адвоката, который делал все возможное, чтобы защитить своего клиента, противоречит международному праву в области прав человека и стандартам, касающимся роли юристов, – отметил сегодня Тимур Шакиров, старший правовой советник Программы МКЮ по Европе и Центральной Азии. – Также вызывает обеспокоенность тот факт, что Дмитрию Сотникову не позволили представлять интересы своего доверителя, невзирая на четкие положения закона, которые гарантируют право на независимую юридическую помощь и представительство», – добавил Шакиров.
12 сентября московский адвокат Дмитрий Сотников приехал в Тульскую область, чтобы представлять интересы доверителя, обвинявшегося в незаконном обороте наркотиков, в рамках слушания дела в Новомосковском районном суде.
Когда адвокат вошел в зал заседания (после того, как предупредил судью, что опоздает на 10 минут), он сообщил, что представляет интересы своего доверителя Эдуарда Долгинцева и предъявил адвокатское удостоверение и ордер; тогда судья предложила адвокату занять свое место. Когда Сотников попытался задать вопрос одному из ключевых свидетелей по делу, судья заявила, что не давала разрешения на его участие в процессе в качестве защитника. В ответ Сотников указал на свое право выступать в суде в качестве защитника с целью исполнения своих обязанностей по законному юридическому представительству доверителя; несмотря на это, судья ответила, что адвокат мешает суду и приказала ему покинуть зал заседания, после чего внезапно объявила перерыв по делу.
После перерыва работник суда не пустил Сотникова в зал заседания. Когда адвокат снова попытался войти в зал, сотрудник с силой оттолкнул его, так что адвокат упал ничком, после чего на него надели наручники. Адвоката передали сотрудникам полиции, которые отвезли его в наркодиспансер, якобы чтобы провести анализ на содержание наркотических веществ, а затем доставили на допрос в следственный отдел.
Есть сведения о том, что вечером того же дня, после того как Дмитрий Сотников на протяжении восьми часов содержался под стражей в местном отделении Следственного комитета, в отсутствие каких-либо документов, он поинтересовался, был ли заключен под стражу официально. На это ему ответили, что нет, и тогда он попытался уйти, однако на него снова напали, на этот раз следователи, которые нанесли адвокату удары по голове и прищемили пальцы, с силой хлопнув дверью.
Адвокат Сотникова, Светлана Заводцова, которая явилась в местное отделение Следственного комитета, чтобы представлять интересы Дмитрия Сотникова, снимала на видео на мобильный телефон, который силой был отобран у нее, а видео инцидента, который она успела заснять, было удалено.
МКЮ подчеркивает, что для выполнения своих профессиональных обязанностей адвокаты должны иметь возможность действовать без страха подвергнуться какому-либо виду возмездия.
«Отправление правосудия невозможно, если стороны судебного процесса не пользуются всесторонней защитой, а адвокаты не имеют возможности выполнять свои обязанности, не подвергаясь запугиваниям и нападениям», – добавил Шакиров. Для поддержания авторитета системы правосудия необходимо, чтобы нападения на Дмитрия Сотникова стало предметом безотлагательного, тщательного и независимого расследования, а виновные были привлечены к ответственности, подчеркивает МКЮ.
Дополнительные сведения
Статья 19 Основных принципов ООН, касающихся роли юриста, устанавливает, что «(н)и один суд или административный орган, в котором признается право на адвоката, не отказывается признавать права юриста отстаивать в суде интересы своего клиента, за исключением тех случаев, когда юристу было отказано в праве выполнять свои профессиональные обязанности в соответствии с национальным правом и практикой и в соответствии с настоящими принципами».
Согласно пункту 4 статьи 49 Уголовно-процессуального кодекса РФ, адвокат считается законным юридическим представителем обвиняемого по уголовному делу при предъявлении адвокатского удостоверения и ордера; с этого момента адвокат пользуется правом выступать в суде для исполнения своих профессиональных обязанностей.
Есть сведения о том, что в результате обоих инцидентов Дмитрию Сотникову были нанесены телесные повреждения, так что в настоящее время он находится на больничном.
Ранее МКЮ выражала обеспокоенность в связи с запугиванием и насилием в отношении российских адвокатов.
Sep 20, 2019 | News
The ICJ has called on the Russian authorities to institute a thorough and independent investigation into the use of physical force against lawyer Dmitry Sotnikov by court officials and subsequently by the police on 12 September in two separate but linked incidents, and to hold accountable those responsible for the attacks.
The authorities should take effective measures to prevent such attacks in the future, and to ensure that lawyers are not prevented from representing their clients in accordance with law, the ICJ said.
“This use of physical force used against a lawyer solely because he tried to zealously defend his client is contrary to international human rights law and standards, including on the role of lawyers,” Temur Shakirov, Senior Legal Adviser of the ICJ Europe and Central Asia Programme said today.
“It is also of concern that Dmitry Sotnikov was not allowed to represent his client despite clear legal provisions under the law guaranteeing the right to independent legal advice and representation,” he added.
On 12 September, Dmitriy Sotnikov, a Moscow-based lawyer, came to Tula region to represent a client charged with drug trafficking in a hearing at the Novomoskovsk District Court.
Upon entering the courtroom, after having notified the judge that he would be 10 minutes late, Dmitriy Sotnikov reportedly announced that he represented his client Eduard Dolgintsev, presented his licence and a warrant of attorney; he was then told by the judge to sit down.
As he tried to ask one of the key witnesses a question, the judge told him she had never authorized his participation as a lawyer in the proceedings.
In response to this, Sotnikov referred to his rights of audience as a lawyer necessary to fulfill his duties as the legitimate legal representative of his client; however, the judge said Dmitriy Sotnikov was disturbing the court, ordered him to leave the courtroom, and then abruptly announced a recess.
After the recess, Sotnikov was blocked by a court officer from entering the court room. When he attempted to enter the room again, he was pushed face down by the officer and handcuffed.
Thereafter, he was detained by the police, taken to a drug treatment centre, purportedly to ascertain whether he tested positive for drug use, and then brought to the investigative department for questioning.
Reportedly, later that night, after having spent eight hours in the local department of the Investigative Committee without being officially registered, Dmitriy Sotnikov inquired whether he was officially in custody.
On being told that he was not, he attempted to leave and was reportedly again attacked, this time by investigators, who beat him on the head and slammed a door shut on his fingers.
Sotnikov’s lawyer, Svetlana Zavodtsova – who had arrived at the local department of the Investigative Committee to represent Dmitriy Sotnikov – was recording on video on her mobile phone which was taken from her by force while the video of the incident she had recorded was deleted.
The ICJ stresses that in order to fulfill their function lawyers must be able to act without fear and free from fear of reprisals of any kind.
“No justice can be delivered unless the parties to the court process are fully protected and lawyers are able to discharge their functions without harassment, or attack”, Shakirov added. It is now essential for the credibility of the judicial system that the assaults against Dmitry Sotnikov is promptly, thoroughly and independently investigated and that those responsible are brought to justice, the ICJ emphasized.
Additional information
The UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers in its Article 19, specify that “[n]o court or administrative authority before whom the right to counsel is recognized shall refuse to recognize the right of a lawyer to appear before it for his or her client unless that lawyer has been disqualified in accordance with national law and practice and in conformity with these principles”.
Under Article 49.4 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation a lawyer is recognized as the legitimate legal representative of a defendant in a criminal case upon presenting her or his licence and a warrant of attorney; once this is done lawyers enjoy the rights of audience necessary to fulfill their professional duties.
Dmitriy Sotnikov has reportedly sustained injuries from both incidents, and is presently on sick leave undergoing medical treatment for the same.
The ICJ has previously raised concerns at violence and intimidations against Russian lawyers.
