Russia: Update on charges against Doctor Vil Mirzayanov for revealing state secrets
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 June 1994 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | RUS17682.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Russia: Update on charges against Doctor Vil Mirzayanov for revealing state secrets, 1 June 1994, RUS17682.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ac1794.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Doctor Vil Mirzayanov was charged with divulging state secrets in October of 1992 after publishing an article in the Russian press claiming that the country continued to produce chemical weapons despite signing international agreements prohibiting their production (AFP 9 June 1994). Mirzayanov was arrested in January 1994 after refusing to attend his trial, but he was released on bail on 23 February 1994 (ibid.). On 11 March 1994 the charges against him were dropped after the state prosecutor determined that a criminal offence had not been committed (ibid.).
In June 1994, the state awarded Mirzayanov 30 million rubles in compensation for wrongful prosecution (ibid.; BBC Summary 11 June 1994). The award marks the first time in "modern Russian history" that damages have been awarded to a Russian citizen in compensation for arbitrary actions taken by the state (The Washington Post 9 June 1994).
For additional information on the Mirzayanov case, please refer to the attached documents.
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Agence France Presse (AFP). 9 June 1994. "Russian Chemist Awarded Damages over "State Secrets" Probe." (NEXIS)
BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 11 June 1994. "Scientist Mirzayanov Wins Court Case Against Procuracy." (NEXIS)
The Washington Post. 9 June 1994. Fred Hiatt. "Russian Court Rules Against Government." (NEXIS)
Attachments
Agence France Presse (AFP). 9 June 1994. "Russian Chemist Awarded Damages over 'State Secrets' Probe." (NEXIS)
BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 11 June 1994. "Scientist Mirzayanov Wins Court Case Against Procuracy." (NEXIS)
. 14 March 1994. "Trial of Chemical Weapons Scientist Mirzoyanov Abandoned." (NEXIS)
Current Digest of the Post-Soviet Press. 6 April 1994. Sergei Mostovshchikov. "'Mirzayanov Case' Dismissed for Lack of the Elements of a Crime." (NEXIS)
. 23 March 1994. Valery Rudnev. "Prosecutor General Releases Vil Mirzayanov from Prison." (NEXIS)
The New York Times. 12 March 1994. Final Edition. David Wise. "Novichok on Trial." (NEXIS)
The Washington Post. 9 June 1994. Final Edition. Fred Hiatt. "Russian Court Rules Against Government." (NEXIS)