#7
Russia's Pasko ready to accept presidential pardon

VLADIVOSTOK, Russia, Jan 22 (Reuters) - Military journalist Grigoriy Pasko, jailed for disclosing the location of Russian navy dumping grounds to Japanese media, said on Tuesday he was ready to agree to a presidential pardon.

But Pasko, sentenced to four years in jail for high treason, will not petition for a pardon himself, his lawyer Anatoly Pyshkin said.

"Grigoriy has not appealed for pardon and will not do so," Pyshkin said. "But if, for example, a public organisation appealed, and the president issued a decree to pardon him, taking the decision to free him, that would be humane."

Pasko's conviction on December 25 triggered protests in Russia and provoked diplomatic rumblings last week after Moscow sharply criticised two U.S. diplomats who attended a pro-Pasko rally in the far east port of Vladivostok as observers.

Pasko, a former navy captain, was arrested in 1997 by counter-intelligence agents on his return from Japan, where he had given journalists evidence that the Russian navy had dumped toxic waste in the Sea of Japan.

According to Russian law, either the defendant himself or public associations, including charities or labour organisations, can appeal for a pardon. But no petition to free Pasko has yet been brought forward.

Speaking in Paris during a lightning visit last week, President Vladimir Putin said he would consider Pasko's case and possibly use his right of pardon.

But Pasko has so far refused to petition for a pardon, arguing it would be tantamount to admitting guilt.

The prosecutor general's office has appealed for a tougher sentence. The defence wants the verdict squashed.