Lawyers for Ponomaryov call on rights activists to put him on list of victims of political repression
MOSCOW. July 22 (Interfax) - Defense lawyers for parliamentarian Ilya Ponomaryov, who is charged with embezzling Skolkovo Foundation funds, have asked international human rights organizations to put him on the lists of victims of political repression.
"I have sent a request to Memorial, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International asking to put Ponomaryov on the list of victims of political repression. His criminal case materials indicate that he is persecuted for political motives," Maria Bast, a lawyer for the parliamentarian, told Interfax on Wednesday.
She also said she has prepared a letter containing a similar request, which will be sent to the UN Human Rights Council and the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights.
Bast said the inclusion of Ponomaryov on the list of victims of political repression can help him avoid detention in the territory of foreign countries. The lawyer recalled that Ponomaryov has been put on the international wanted persons list.
According to earlier reports, defense lawyers for State Duma deputy Ilya Ponomaryov have contested the Basmanny Court's decision to arrest the parliamentarian in absentia.
On July 17, the Moscow Basmanny Court ordered the arrest of Ponomaryov in absentia, applicable for two months from the moment of his detention.
The charges were brought against Ponomaryov in late June. According to investigators, he abetted the embezzlement of $750,000 of the Skolkovo Foundation's money.
Ponomaryov, who is now abroad, denies all charges.
Maria Bast, a lawyer for Ponomaryov, earlier said the Basmanny Court decision is politically motivated.