Director of Regional Press Institute, Anna Sharogradskaya, detained at St Petersburg airport

posted 8 Jun 2014, 08:23 by Rights in Russia   [ updated 8 Jun 2014, 08:27 ]
5 June 2014

Source: HRO.org (info)
On 5th June 2014 at St Petersburg’s Pulkovo airport, director of the Regional Press Institute, Anna Sharogradskaya, was detained as she was departing for the USA, Agora Human Rights Association reports, citing the legal representative of the Regional Press Institute, Vitaly Cherkasov. Anna Sharogradskaya’s personal belongings were searched and Federal Security Service agents were awaited in order to more thoroughly inspect her computer, her ipad and her memory sticks. As a result, her electronic equipment was seized and Sharogradskaya was late for her flight. She links the incident with the St. Petersburg public prosecutor: “They are probably doing this to show me how they can put pressure on me. But I will never give in.”

“At present an inspection of Anna Arkadievna’s personal belongings is taking place and Federal Security Service agents are awaited in order to more thoroughly inspect her electronic communications equipment,” the lawyer Vitaly Cherkasov said. “At this present moment a lawyer has left for the airport in order to provide the NGO director with legal assistance.”

Translated by Elisabeth Wright
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