TREATMENT OF VASILY ALEKSANYAN IN A RUSSIAN PRISON

Early day motion 831, tabled 31 January 2008 by Lord Bruce of Bennachie (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 36 members.

That this House notes with concern the refusal of Russian officials to provide medical treatment for Vasily Aleksanyan, the imprisoned former vice-president of Yukos; notes the ruling by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) that he should receive treatment at a specialised clinic immediately; futher notes that his treatment is likely to exacerbate his illness and considers that it is being used to coerce confessions for both his own accused crimes as well as those of his former boss Mikhail Khodorkovsky; is further concerned about the continuing hunger strike by Mr Khodorkovsky; and calls on the Government to urge the Russian government to abide by international law and the ECHR ruling in providing the appropriate medical treatment for Mr Aleksanyan immediately.

Signatures by party: Labour 15, Liberal Democrat 13, Conservative 3, DUP 1, Plaid Cymru 1, Scottish National Party 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1, UUP 1.