To Governor AG Tuleev and Mayor VA Ivshin,

We are extremely concerned of the news that the secretary of the Siberian Confederation of Labor (SKT) in Anzhero-Sudzhensk, Vladimir Prokhorovich Vorobyov, has been illegally arrested while leaving his home yesterday.

We are equally concerned at the attempts to deny the people of Anzhero-Sudzhensk their democratic rights to protest against new Communal Dwelling Reform. This legislation will force local people, including pensioners and others already living in deep poverty, into a completely desperate and hopeless situation.

Illegal arrests and interference with the right to assembly contradict the idea that "democracy" is prevailing in Russia. We demand the immediate release of Vladimir Vorobiev and the restoration to local people of their right to protest against these inhumane reforms.

We strongly object to the actions of the local authorities in Anzhero-Sudzhensk and we demand the immediate release of Vladimir Prokhorovich Vorobyov.

Hannele Peltonen
General secretary of SAC