(Moscow, September 25, 1997) -- Activists of the Antimilitarist Radical Association (ARA) continue their campaign of sending formal requests to the Procurator General of Russian Federation to investigate according the law actions undertaken by general Lev Rokhlin since June this year, when he has sent to the troops his letter which in fact contained an appeal to disobedience and armed rebellion.

Till now, there is no answer from Bolshaja Dmitrovka on the very first request which has been formally tabled on June 26 by Nikolaj Khramov, secretary of the ARA. The submitted request pointed out that Rokhlin's actions fall under Art. 279 of Russian Federation Criminal Code (armed rebellion) with reference to Art. 30 (preparation for committing a crime) and Art. 33 comma 4 (complicity in form of instigation).

Tomorrow, on Friday, September 26, member of the State Duma would examine on their plenary session the fate of position occupied till now by Lev Rokhlin - president of Duma's defence committee. This position belongs however to the "Our Home Is Russia" faction but not to Mr. Rokhlin.

Activists of ARA would organize tomorrow a new progressive service for Duma members: they deploy near the main entrance to the chamber a mobile point for collecting appeals to the Procurator General requesting to investigate actions of the rebel general.

Nikolaj Khramov, secretary of the ARA, declared in this context:

``I hope, legislators would consider impossible saving one of key positions in the parliament for a person who in fact prepares a military coup against democratic constitutional order. However, retirement from the position of defence committee chairman is rather not all what the rebel should pay for his anti-constitutional actions. For criminal acts - and appeals for armed rebellion must be necessarily considered as criminal acts - one should respond, even if he has an MP's mandate in his pocket. I would like to believe very much, that members of the State Duma are not less sure about it than we common citizens are. That's why we also propose to Duma members to express their attitude to Rokhlin's doings. We know, deputies are busy folks, especially Communists who are preparing regular "autumn offensive against ruling regime". That's why we decided to organize such a service for them, directly on their working place: they should only subscribe ready letter form.''

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Antimilitarist Radical Association (ARA

Ul. Trubnaja 25-2-49, 103051 Moscow, Russia

Tel./fax: +7-095-923.9127

E-mail: ARA@glasnet.ru

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