Urusov is a new type of political prisoner in Russia's recent history: a worker leader who was able to organize a trade union organization in the remote (Sahka) Yakutsk village of Udachny, and yet paid the price for this by losing his freedom. Since June 2009, the union leader, having risked conflict with the larger diamond company ALROSA, is now behind bars. (FB-comment - ALROSA was a large Soviet state owned company called “Yakutalmaz” until it was stolen from the Soviet people by pro-U.S. zionist puppet Boris Yelstin and his mafia bandits in 1992 and renamed ALROSA).
Despite the fact that the previous court's decision was overturned by the Supreme Court, Udachny court affirmed its earlier decision, and again, Urusov was sentenced to 6 years in prison. The court decision sparked strong reaction among trade unions and rights defenders. But despite the protests around the world, Urusov remains in custody.
About this case of Urusov -
Urusov in 2007, created a workers' union in the diamond mining company Alrosa (Yakutia). In the first months of the organization, it in took over 1000 people. The workers demanded better working conditions and eliminate debt for unpaid overtime. August 25, 2008 they had declared a hunger strike. Aug. 27, after reaching an agreement on the establishment of a conciliation commission, the protest was suspended. The Commission began work, but on Sept. 3, 2008 Urusov was arrested by the Drug Control Squad at the front door of his house.
In Urusova home, 70 grams of drugs were "confiscated", and not by someone else, but by the head of the Mirny (Drug Control Squad) S. Rudov, and was not too lazy to travel over 600 km to get Urusov.
Urusov himself in a statement handed to a lawyer, described his arrest as a kidnapping with beatings and threats. He was forced to sign a confession or be killed: "Either die here in the woods, or sign and stay alive."
December 29, 2008 Mirninsky g.Udachnogo District Court presided by Judge Guseva Y. Urusov Valentin Yakovlevich was sentenced to 6 years of imprisonment in a penal colony and 100 000 rubles penalty according to article 228 part 2 of the Criminal Code.
May 12, 2009 Supreme Court of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), overturned the conviction of the Mirny district court with respect to trade union activist Urusov
He was released from custody at the courthouse.
But on May 26 Mirny district court again sentenced him to imprisonment. The sentence was reduced to 5 years after re-appeal.
Meanwhile, in January-March 2009, all union activists at the company Alrosa have been laid off and entered onto a" black list ".
Currently Urusov serving his sentence in a penal colony № 7 general regime of the village Tabago (Yakutia).
Source: Trade unions today