Vladivostok, 23 January 2003 (RFE/RL) -- Russian journalist Grigorii Pasko was released from prison on parole today and said he will continue to seek an acquittal. Pasko had been serving a four-year prison term in the Far East for treason after writing an expose in 1993 on the Russian military's dumping of nuclear waste in the Pacific Ocean.
His lawyers said that Pasko, a former naval officer, was eligible for release because he had served two-thirds of his term without any complaints from prison authorities.
Ivan Pavlov, one of Pasko's lawyers, said at a news conference in Vladivostok today that Pasko maintains his innocence. "We will continue to fight to clear Grigorii's name. We have submitted an appeal to the chairman of the Supreme Court, who has not yet ruled on the case," Pavlov said.
Following his conviction, Pasko refused to ask for a pardon, saying that it would have been tantamount to admitting guilt.
His lawyers said that Pasko, a former naval officer, was eligible for release because he had served two-thirds of his term without any complaints from prison authorities.
Ivan Pavlov, one of Pasko's lawyers, said at a news conference in Vladivostok today that Pasko maintains his innocence. "We will continue to fight to clear Grigorii's name. We have submitted an appeal to the chairman of the Supreme Court, who has not yet ruled on the case," Pavlov said.
Following his conviction, Pasko refused to ask for a pardon, saying that it would have been tantamount to admitting guilt.