§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will continue to seek the admission of observers, representing the European Union or the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, to the trial in St. Petersburg of Mr. Aleksandr Nikitin, accused of revealing state secrets concerning nuclear submarines and atomic waste and pollution, even if the press are excluded from the trial. [HL3635]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)Her Majesty's Government, both bilaterally and with our EU partners, will continue to impress on the Russian authorities the need for transparency in court proceedings in relation to Aleksandr Nikitin, and a just outcome to the case, consistent with Russian law and Russia's international obligations. Representatives of the British and other EU and OSCE Member States' Consulates General in St. Petersburg attended the open session of the trial. Although most of the hearing has taken place in closed session, three representatives from the lower house of the Russian Parliament and one from Amnesty International have also attended throughout. We shall continue to follow developments in the case closely, and will attend any future open court sessions.