Front Line is deeply concerned following reports that human rights defender Mr Alexander Verkhovsky is being subjected to ongoing threats and harassment, most recently on 21 February 2009. Alexander Verkhovsky is the Director of the SOVA Centre for Information and Analysis, a Russian human rights organisation which seeks to combat ultra-nationalism and xenophobia, and explore political radicalism as well as relations between churches and secular society in the Russian Federation.

Further Information

Front Line issued an urgent appeal on 17 February 2009 regarding the threats received by the Deputy Director of the SOVA Centre, Ms Galina Kozhevnikova, the day before the presentation of the organisation’s report on radical nationalism in Russia. Alexander Verkhovsky has also been the victim of previous threats and harassment but has refrained from speaking out until now. According to reports, threats against the organisation have recently intensified.

In 2008, Alexander Verkhovsky's personal details, including his home address, were posted on a neo-Nazi website as part of a list of “enemies of the Russian people” consisting of the names of human rights defenders combating racism and xenophobia. A complaint was filed by Alexander Verkhovsky and Galina Kozhevnikova, and investigations were initiated although they have not yet yielded any results.

In July 2008, at least four unknown young men rang Alexander Verkhovsky's doorbell claiming that they were from an anti-fascist group and that they wanted to conduct an interview. Alexander Verkhovsky told him to come to his office instead. The next day a video of the visit was posted on a neo-Nazi website. Since then, Alexander Verkhovsky has been threatened via telephone and via email by numerous unknown individuals. Since the beginning of 2009, the intensity of the threats against Alexander Verkhovsky have increased, with two visits having been made to his apartment by neo-Nazis attempting to lure him outside “for a conversation”, most recently on 21 February 2009. Police are currently conducting an investigation into the matter.

Front Line believes that the threats and harassment suffered by Alexander Verkhovsky and other members of the SOVA Centre are directly related to their work in the defence of human rights, in particular their work against ultra-nationalism, xenophobia and extremism in the Russian Federation. Front Line sees this as part of an ongoing trend of serious harassment against human rights defenders in the Russian Federation. Moreover, serious concern is expressed that, when the SOVA Centre launches a reference book on Russian nationalist organisations at the Independent Press-Centre in Moscow on 2 March 2009, this may lead to further threats from neo-Nazis. In light of the current situation, Front Line is deeply concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of Alexander Verkhovsky and all other members of the SOVA Centre for Information and Analysis.