Global Citizens Comment on the Detention of a German Citizen in the Russian Federation

The International Movement Global Citizens expresses serious concern over the detention by the Russian authorities of Friedrich Michael, a citizen of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Global Citizens draws attention to the absence of officially published information on the date and place of detention, the German citizen’s whereabouts, and his status in the proceedings.

In this regard, Global Citizens looks to the competent authorities of the Russian Federation to provide Germany with comprehensive information on the circumstances of and legal grounds for the detention, ensure the detainee’s safety and humane treatment, and provide him with the necessary medical care. Global Citizens attaches particular importance to upholding the prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, and to ensuring that the detainee is not subjected to any coercion to testify or falsely incriminate himself.

Global Citizens underscores the need for strict observance of the law and all applicable procedural safeguards, including the right to qualified legal assistance, consular access, and judicial review of the lawfulness of detention. In determining the detainee’s legal status and the legal characterization of the conduct attributed to him, the facts of the case must be established objectively, and applicable international law and the presumption of innocence must be respected.

Global Citizens maintains that respect for human dignity, protection of the detainee’s fundamental rights, and his access to justice must be guaranteed regardless of the state of relations between Russia and Germany.

Global Citizens expresses its support for the detainee’s family and loved ones in the present circumstances.

Note: This comment by the International Movement Global Citizens will be formally transmitted to Germany’s Federal Foreign Office and the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in the Russian Federation for their information.