FW: sad news - latest "Memorial" press release

[Boris Dagaev]

> a unique database on the history of the Stalinist terror -- still remain
in the prosecutor's possession. As a result,
> the St. Petersburg research center's investigative and educational work is
largely paralyzed.

I am sympathetic with the cause and readily admit that I don't know enough
details, but can't help thinking: this particular statement about government
induced paralysis sounds a bit like a purposeful tearjerker. Didn't they
make a copy of the database on a server abroad? Or am I being too
simplistic?
On Thu, Feb 26, 2009 at 9:48 AM, Paul B. Gallagher <
paulbg at pbg-translations.com> wrote:

> Anna Reid wrote:
>
> Dear Robert - Sorry to be stupid but my legal Russian ain't so great.
>> Does this mean they have overturned the raion court's ruling, or
>> just that they have allowed an appeal? And do we have any idea where
>> things will go from here? Hope all's going well (I much look forward
>> to 'Everything Flows') and all the best - Anna.
>>
>
> This part (my sight translation) is very clear:
>
>  24 февраля городской суд Санкт-Петербурга удовлетворил кассационное
>>> представление прокуратуры на постановление Дзержинского районного
>>> суда от 20 января....
>>>
>>
> On February 24, the St. Petersburg Municipal Court granted the prosecutor's
> appeal of the Dzerzhinsky District Court's decision of January 20....
>
>  Городской суд отменил это постановление на том основании, что в
>>> суде первой инстанции не был достаточно исследован вопрос о
>>> полномочиях адвоката Габуния, явившегося на обыск, представлять
>>> интересы «Мемориала». Дело направлено на новое рассмотрение в тот
>>> же суд, который будет слушать его в новом составе. Дата повторного
>>> рассмотрения пока не назначена.
>>>
>>
> The Municipal Court reversed that decision on the basis that the trial
> court had not sufficiently investigated the authority [i.e., power of
> attorney -- pbg] of attorney Gabuniya, who appeared for the search, to
> represent Memorial's interests. The case was remanded for a new hearing to
> the same court, which will hear it with a fresh panel. The date of the new
> hearing has not yet been set.
>
>  Таким образом, предыдущее судебное решение о возвращении изъятых
>>> материалов законному владельцу аннулировано. Жесткие диски компьютеров,
>>> содержащие результаты двадцатилетней работы НИЦ
>>> «Мемориал» (СПб), – уникальные базы данных по истории сталинского
>>> террора, - по-прежнему остаются в распоряжении прокуратуры. В
>>> результате исследовательская и просветительная работа научного
>>> центра в Петербурге в значительной степени парализована.
>>>
>>
> Thus, the previous court decision returning the confiscated materials to
> their lawful owner was vacated. The computer hard disks containing the
> results of 20 years' work by Memorial St. Petersburg -- a unique database on
> the history of the Stalinist terror -- still remain in the prosecutor's
> possession. As a result, the St. Petersburg research center's investigative
> and educational work is largely paralyzed.
>
> --
> War doesn't determine who's right, just who's left.
> --
> Paul B. Gallagher
> pbg translations, inc.
> "Russian Translations That Read Like Originals"
> http://pbg-translations.com
>
>
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