English text of the Altai Petition to Medvedev

Petition of the Altai Republic people to the President of Russia has been translated into English.
As on Febrayry 18th, 2009 - 41 day since the crash of the Mi-171 helicopter as a result of shooting from the air at endangered and legally protected Argali sheep, there is still no criminal investigation of the evidences on VIP-poaching and corruption.



MEETING WITH APPEALS FOR INVESTIGATION
WILL BE HELD IN THE CAPITAL OF ALTAI REPUBLIC
on 22 February 2009

To the President of the Russian Federation, Dmitry. A. Medvedev

On January 9, 2009, a Mi-171 helicopter crashed in the Ulandryk canyon (the Kosh-Agach district of Altai Republic, Russia), near the Mongolian border, killing seven people onboard and injuring two. This air crash had a profound affect on our society not only because of the tragic loss of life, but also because of the fact that it was caused by an illegal helicopter hunting.

While expressing our condolences to the relatives of the deceased, we believe that the incident must be investigated impartially and in accordance to the Legislation of the Russian Federation. We demand that the law-enforcement bodies carry out an objective investigation and bring to justice thaose responsible for the loss of life.

Abusing their official positions, a group of senior officials from the Russian President's Administration and the Government of Altai Republic were helicopter hunting the argali sheep, the endangered species that are under protection by government law. On one of the photographs of the crash site, published by the Altapress.ru website, the carcasses of Altai mountain sheep, or argali, are clearly visible next to the helicopter wreckage. There is no doubt that a crime punishable under paragraphs of the Russian Criminal Law, 258 (an illegal hunt) and 285 (an abuse of official power), has been perpetrated.

We, the public organizations, expected that Mr. Berdnikov, the Chairman of the Government of the Altai Republic, would clarify the situation and publicly offer his condolences to the relatives of the deceased. Instead, he made a rather cynical statement: "The Government of the Altai Republic had no connection to either helicopter or a hunt if there was a hunt. There were no directions or orders given to persons aboard to take part in this trip, they all went on their own free will." Then he added sarcastically: "Those who have means, they pay for a helicopter. Those who don't, they pay for a car. Those who have no means at all, they pay for a horse. Those who have no money for a horse, go on foot."

However, the investigation found out that the helicopter was chartered from "Gazpromavia" by Mr. Bannyh, the Vice Premier of the Government of the Altai Republic and the representative of the Altai Republic at the Government of the Russian Federation. The permission for the helicopter to enter the state border territory was signed by Mr. Paltaller, who is a Deputy Governor of the Altai Republic. According to unofficial sources, the helicopter charter payment was made by Ms. Shubina and Mr.Kozlov, two businesspeople from Novosibirsk and Barnaul respectively. The Federal Law classifies the payment for a service, made by a private person for a civil servant, as a corruption offense.

We believe that the immoral and corrupt ways of the Government of the Altai Republic are the root cause of this tragedy. The helicopter hunting of endangered species of animals was perpetrated for private gain. In our opinion, it was no coincidence that this VIP hunting trip for the influential people was organized a year before the re-appointment of a new Governor of the Altai Republic.

We are astonished at the cynicism of the organizers of this immoral and illegal action who, in their drive to achieve their career ambitions, had sacrificed not only the endangered animals, but also people's lives.

Because of the enormous social significance of this incident, we believe that an independent commission, consisting of the Altai Republic's deputies, must be formed in order to investigate the incident. The commission should find answers to the following questions:

1. Who paid for the helicopter charter? Can the fact of the payment be regarded as a form of a bribe to an official, taking into account that most of the passengers were high-ranking officials? 2. On what grounds did the Government of the Altai Republic apply for a permission for a private flight? 3. On what grounds did Mr. Bannyh, being a member of the Government of the Altai Republic, charter a private flight from Gazpromavia? 4. Why the actual passengers were different people than those shown on the permission application? 5. Why was the flight carried out not in a time period specified by the permission? 6. Why did a departure from an allowed route take place? 7. Did the passengers have a right to be in the state border area? 8. Would it be possible to avoid such serious consequences if the organizers didn't keep the place of hunting a secret? 9. Were criminal cases instigated on charges of corruption and poaching?

We also insist that the investigation bodies present the complete and objective report on the results of the investigation, including the culprits, to the State Assembly El Kurultai.

We ask the Russian President's Administration to give a legal and political assessment to the actions of certain members of the Government of the Altai Republic, and to review Mr. Berdnikov's qualifications to be a Chairman of the Altai Republic Government, a guarantor of the Russian Federation's Constitution and Law in the Altai Republic. If our demands are not met, we reserve the right to organize a public protest including a republic-wide meeting in accordance with the current legislation.


Nudga G. M. - deputy chairman of NP "Razvitie",
Petrov V. I. - chairman of OO "Za Respubliku",
Sazankin M. M. - co-chairman of "Ene Til",
Tabaev D. I. - chairman of OO "Chyndyk",
Kine A. K. - chairman of OO Spiritual Center "Ak Jan", Kudirmekov V. D. - chairman of the Fund of the altai people's revival and the preservation of the Altai Mountains nature "El Altai", Keluev V. K. - chairman of OO "Bilik", Paklin M. I. - chairman of OO "Russky Center", Nikonov Ju. P. - chairman of ERO ND KPE, Uhanov S. I. - member of the Russian Committee on fight against corruption, Fedorova N. P. - member of OO "Altai Republic Women Federation", Chekonov N. A. - secretary of the Altai reskom, the first secretary of the Gorno-Altaisk gorkom of KPRF, a deputy of the Altai republic, Vlasov V. V. - ataman of the Gorno-Altaisk Cossack society, Fedotov Ju. I. - ataman of the Bikatun Cossack line, Bedarev V. N. - head of k/h "Bedarev", Muytueva L. N. - OO "Russian United Alliance", Selbikov A. A. - zaisan of the Irkit family, Zjulin A. F. - deputy of the Altai republic, Dumnova N. G. - head of ARO PP "Yabloko", Alushkin P. M. - deputy chairman of ROPP "Patriots of Russia", Karatunov M. A. - chairman of RO VPP "Pravoe Delo".

Appeal of Telengit Indigenous Communities from the Altai Republic

Association of Telengit Indigenous Communities from the mountains of the Altai Republic calls to the President of Russia Mr. Medvedev, to the Prime-Minister Mr.Putin and to the Chief Prosecutor of Russian Federation Mr. Chaika calling to express their opinion on the tragedy caused by VIP-poaching from the helicopter on Argali in the mountains of the Altai. Indigenous People, who treat Argali as Sacred Animal, confirm their concern that the circumstances of this tragedy are not investigated and the whole case is kept closed from public, and criticize silence, neglect and lack of action from the authorities who are in the position to defend the law.

Full text of the appeal from Telengit Indigenous Communities is translated below.

To the President of Russian Federation
Mr. D.A.Medvedev

To the Prime Minister of Russian Federation,
The Chairman of “United Russia” Party
Mr. V.V.Putin

To the Chief Prosecutor of Russian Federation
Mr. Yu.A.Chaika

Appeal

Association of Telengit Indigenous communities “Ere-Chui” (Sacred Chui) of Kosh-Agach district Tos-Torgoo expresses deepest condolence to relatives and friends of those who were killed in the tragic accident that took place early this year in Kosh-Agach district as a result of Mi-171 helicopter crash which led to death of seven people.

The situation that caused such terrible consequences got enormous response in the society, especially after the details of the catastrophe appeared in press and media.

It is known for certain that the VIP officials of the federal and regional level were hunting right from the helicopter on Argali, the species included in the Red Data Book and considered sacred by the Altai people. In relation to this a number of Altai Republic NGOs made an appeal to the President of Russian Federation Mr. D.A.Medvedev, raising a number of questions on investigation of this case. Association “Ere-Chui” approves this appeal and fully supports the requests expressed in that document. On behalf of our district public we strongly oppose the criminal act in itself, and express our concern on the lack of any official position from the first persons of the state. We strongly disagree with the actions of the republican authorities that are targeted to alteration and conceal of the true facts. We strongly criticize the silence from federal and republican NGOs, namely the Public Chamber of Russian Federation and the Public Chamber of the Altai Republic. We express our distrust to the El-Bashchi of the Altai Republic and Zaisan of Altai Republic, and demand in our turn:

- from the President of Russian Federation Mr. D.A.Medvedev, as the guarantee of the Russian Constitution, to express his firm position on this case.

- from the law enforcement bodies of Russian Federation:

1. To undertake detailed investigation of this criminal case;
2. To make liable all those individuals who are guilty;
3. To share information on the measures taken and on the process of criminal investigation via press and media.

Kosh-Agach settlement

30^th January 2009

Signatures

Association of Telengit Indigenous Communities “Ere-Chui” (Sacred Chui) Chairman	R.M.Tadyrov
“Mool-Millenium” Community Chairman	V.B.Yakoyakov
“Tozyn-Too” Community Chairman	S.S.Tadyrov
“Otok” Community Chairman	E.N.Burbuyev
“Kabai Beltir” Community Chairman	Ch.S.Sabulakov
“Kaan Kurai” Community Chairman	O.V.Yeldepov
“Edelweiss” Community Chairman	S.S.Sablakov
“Irbis-Tuu” Community Chairman	A.T.Tailenkhunov
“Ailan” Community Chairman	S.A.Knyazev
“Mezhelik” Community Chairman	A.A.Shonkhorov
Aga-Zaisan of Kosh Agach district Telengit People	A.V.Yedeshev

Original text of this appeal is published in Russian.

PLEASE HELP SPREAD THE MESSAGE AND CALL FOR ARGALI POACHING INVESTIGATION

Banners for Russian Users spreading public demand in press and media

These are the banners that are used by Russian Internet users, mainly bloggers, - calling for investigation, and also for the statement on this case of VIP poaching.





The update on situation as on February 3rd 12:00

• President of Russia keeps silent on this case.
• Investigators from the Chief Prosecutor Agency keep silent on this case.
• Russian aviation service in their internal mailgram, made now public, explained that the reason of helicopter crash was due to poaching from helicopters on Argali by VIP Russian Government officers.
• Public demands openness in investigation, and that the surviving VIPs have to be dealt according to the criminal law - for well-organised poaching with the use of forbidden hunting methods. This is the demand for trial on proven corruption case!

Please express your support by spreading the message!