WRITTEN QUESTION E-3789/02

by Olivier Dupuis (NI) to the Council

(6 January 2003)

Subject: Antonio Russo affair

Mr G.G. has provided a reconstruction of the murder of the Italian journalist Antonio Russo, correspondent of the Italian radio station Radio Radicale, which occurred on 16 October 2000 in Tbilisi, Georgia (date and place probable but not certain). In his written statement, Mr G.G. asserts that: The ambush was organised and carried out by FSB staff, all of them from the Caucasian republics (CIS and autonomous republics), in collusion with a number of members of prominent mafia-type families of Chechen, Georgian, Azeri and Armenian stock. They carried out the killing at the instigation of agents provocateurs working for Russia. The Russian citizen Fedo, Sergijejevic Petov, who not only enjoys the trust of Dr Arlacchi but has also, thanks to his protection, been able to establish a network of contacts in order to engage in a flourishing money laundering trade with the proceeds of illicit activities conducted mainly in the CIS, paid into Austrian and Hungarian, as well as Croatian and Greek, bank accounts, is not totally unrelated to this decision. This statement will be forwarded as soon as possible to the Georgian and Italian authorities currently investigating the murder of Antonio Russo. Moreover, in its reply to Question P-2110/01(1), the Council stated that representatives of EU Member States in Tbilisi, as well as the Commission Delegation there, maintain a constant watch on events connected to the death of Antonio Russo.

What measures does the Council intend to take to check the reliability of Mr G.G.'s reconstruction of the killing of Antonio Russo? What information does the Council have regarding investigations into the Antonio Russo affair? What action has the Council taken since its reply of 21 October 2001 and what further action does it intend to take, including measures in cooperation with the Georgian, French and Italian authorities, to elucidate the circumstances in which Antonio Russo was murdered?

(1) OJ C 81 E, 4.4.2002, p. 109.

Reply

(5 and 6 May 2003)

As stated in answer to the previous question on this subject, the Council is not in a position to comment on, or enter into, allegations concerning a criminal case. The Council has not received any detailed information concerning the progress of enquiries. The Council places its faith in the Italian, French and Georgian authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of Antonio Russo. Questions concerning the investigation should be addressed to the relevant authorities.