Russian human rights adviser resigns

July 31, 2010|Associated Press

MOSCOW — President Dmitry Medvedev’s human rights adviser resigned yesterday after a Kremlin-backed youth organization threatened her with a libel suit for her harsh criticism.

The Nashi movement, which gained notoriety for street protests and political pranks against Kremlin critics, said it welcomed Ella Pamfilova’s resignation after eight years as head of the presidential human rights council.

Pamfilova has criticized the movement. The group threatened to sue her after she said last week that its activists “pawned their souls to the devil.’’ She also told Ekho Moskvy radio that she was “scared that these guys would come to power one day.’’

The Russian opposition has said Nashi activists assaulted and intimidated its leaders.

Under a new security law signed Thursday by Medvedev, Russians could face jail time for crimes they have not committed.

The law restores Soviet-era powers to the Federal Security Service, the KGB’s main successor agency, a move that rights advocates fear could be used to stifle protests and intimidate the Kremlin’s political opponents. They also say the law’s obscure wording leaves it too open to local interpretation.

The agency can now issue warnings or detain people suspected of preparing to commit crimes against Russia’s security.