HC Deb 19 December 1986 vol 107 cc757-8W
Mr. Hargreaves

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics about the case of Alexander Ogorodnikov; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Eggar

Mr. Ogorodnikov's case has been raised by our delegation at the CSCE review meeting in Vienna. We will continue to take every suitable opportunity to raise human rights abuses with the Soviet authorities.

Mr. Hargreaves

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the Official Report as much information as is in his possession about Alexander Ogorodnikov of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Eggar

Alexander Ogorodnikov founded the Christian seminar discussion group in 1974. He was arrested in 1978, sentenced to one year in a labour camp in 1979, and resentenced to further terms in 1980 and in April this year. He is reported to be in very poor health and has attempted suicide on three occasions. We deplore his continued imprisonment.