(Moscow, July 31, 1997) -- Activists of the Anti-militarist Radical Association (ARA), many of them conscientious objectors, have organized today at 12.00 a manifestation near the building of General Procurator's Office of Russian Federation on Bolshaya Dmitrovka, demanding procurator's intervention in order restoring legality and providing constitutional rights of Nikolaj Mozhzhukhin, member of the ARA, as well as other Russian conscientious objectors.

Nikolaj Mozhzhukhin, resident of Jaroslavl region, on June 30, this year had been kidnapped by military and dispatched to "perform military service" on a missile base in Rybinsk, despite the fact that last autumn court recognized his right to object military service on reasons of conscience and abolished decision taken by military draft commission. Several days ago Amnesty International has adopted Nikolaj Mozhzhukhin as a prisoner of conscience and launched the international campaign for his immediate release.

About 15 persons have taken part in demonstration of Radical anti-militarists, standing under the banner of the Transnational Radical Party with stylized face of Mahatma Gandhi, founder of political nonviolence and hold the slogans: "Legal Gangs Kidnap Citizens In The Very Center Of Moscow", "Free Nikolaj Mozhzhukhin", "Defend Legal Rights Of Conscientious Objectors", "Mr. Skuratov, Defend Constitution", "Military Violating The Law Is A Threat To National Security".

During the manifestation members of the ARA formally handed to the Procurator's Office first dozens of appeals to defend Nikolaj Mozhzhukhin's rights.

Action has been covered by correspondents of Interfax, TV Center, ORT, Moskovskij Komsomolec, Inostranec, Vedomosti-Moskva and other mass media.

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Anti-militarist Radical Association (ARA)

Ul. Trubnaja 25-2-49, 103051 Moscow

Tel./fax: +7 095 9239127

E-mail: ARA@glasnet.ru

Internet URL: http://www.glasnet.ru/~ara