Moscow, February 12, 1999. -- Only 14 days remain till February 26: a date, when three-years term from the moment of the Russia's entering into Council of Europe expires, within which Russia has obliged itself to ratify the 6th Facultative Protocol to the European Convention on Human Rights and, therefore, to abolish death penalty de-jure. If Russia will not ratify this Protocol and, thus, will not respect its voluntary taken, but quite formal obligation, it can cause raising the question about further membership of Russian Federation in Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe (PACE).

The decision of the Constitutional Court passed last week about impossibility of passing capital sentences so long as to all citizens of Russian Federation will not be supplied the right on hearing their cases with court of jurymen (now such courts are only in 9 regions), represents a major step which fastens the situation of abolition death penalty in Russia de-facto after August, 1996 when the moratorium established by the president Yeltsin has entered in force. However this decision of the Constitutional Court does not mean, that Russia should refuse to fulfil its formal obligations for Council of Europe. The State Duma still has a choice: either within 14 days to abolish death penalty de-jure, or to put under question Russia's membership Council of Europe.

One month ago Radical Party began "the final countdown" of time remaining till expiry of the term, let off to the Russian parliament on 6th Protocol's ratification. Each Wednesday and Friday (days of State Duma plenary sessions) deputies are met at the State Duma entrance in Okhotny Ryad by Radical picket with posters "Death Penalty or Council of Europe?", reminding about how many days remained till February 26.

During one of last pickets demonstrators managed to communicate with Mr. Oleg Mironov, Russian Federation Ombudsman and ex-member of Communist Party, who has stated opinion, that death penalty should be kept. During today's picket the support to Radicals has been expressed by Vladimir Zhirinovskij, who answered in front of camera the question raised on Radical poster: "Council of Europe!".

Next pickets of Radical Party at the State Duma in Okhotny Ryad will be held:

Wednesday, February 17, from 12 o'clock till 13 o'clock

Friday, February 19, from 14 o'clock till 15 o'clock