Pasko and the press A military court in July 1999 cleared Navy journalist Grigory Pasko on charges of high treason that were launched after he reported on the dumping of liquid radioactive waste in the Sea of Japan. He was found guilty on a lesser charge, but released under a general amnesty. Both he and the Federal Security Service - the main heir to the KGB - are protesting the decision in a higher court. Pasko wants his name cleared completely. The FSB wants him to be retried for treason. Seen as a test case for press freedom in Russia, the Pasko affair began in November 1997. The FSB arrested Captain Grigory Pasko as he was returning from Japan. Pasko was freelancing for Japanese media. But Russian authorities accused him of handing over state secrets. Human rights organizations such as the Russian chapter of PEN International and Amnesty International, however, say he was persecuted for his work as a journalist. Here are some Pasko stories from the Vladivostok News.

Note: These stories are filed in the Vladivostok News' archives. To return to the current issue, click on your browser's "back" button until you see this page. October, 8 1999 Ecologists snub Pasko for holistic healer in Duma bid August 6, 1999 Pasko proves journalists have to be brave to win July 30, 1999 Pasko, prosecutors appeal verdict July 30, 1999 Journalist: Reign in the FSB July 23, 1999 Military reporter guilty, but freed under amnesty July 16, 1999 Security service raids scientist's home, lab Colleagues say scientist innocent June 25, 1999 Pasko prosecutors demand 12-year sentence April 30, 1999 Pasko: Trial tried to silence me Mar. 5, 1999 Pasko trial reflects larger problem for press Feb. 19, 1999 Secret Pasko charges e-mailed to press Jan. 29, 1999 Lawyers blast Pasko case Jan. 22, 1999 State lays out case in Pasko trial Dec. 4, 1998 NHK says Pasko not its responsibility NHK responds to Pasko questions Nov. 30, 1998 Pasko will stay in jail, Supreme Court judge rules Oct. 23, 1998 Lawyers call Pasko case a farce Oct. 16, 1998 Naval journalist's treason trial opens An open letter from the U.S.-based Committee to Protect Journalists to Russian President Boris Yeltsin regarding Grigory Pasko. June 11, 1998 Spy investigation moves to next stage Feb. 20, 1998 Navy says papers prove guilt Dec. 11, 1997 Alleged spy Pasko still in jail Related links