Russia Appeals to UN: "Russian Historian Arrested by Shin Bet, We Demand Explanation"
Russia is demanding information regarding the fate of historian Artem Kirpichenok, who disappeared after arriving in Israel on August 2. In an appeal to the UN, Moscow stated the cause of arrest is unknown and requested access to legal counsel and medical care: "It is reasonable to believe the arrest stems from his political views."
The Kremlin's Human Rights Council (HRC) appealed last week to the UN regarding the arrest of Russian historian Artem Kirpichenok, who, according to his associates, disappeared in Israel at the beginning of the month. According to the appeal, Kirpichenok was arrested at Ben Gurion Airport by the Shin Bet shortly after landing in the country.
The Council called on the UN to approach Israeli authorities with a demand for explanations regarding the cause of Kirpichenok's arrest and to allow him immediate access to a lawyer and qualified medical care. In addition, Russia requested information on the conditions of his detention, access to investigation materials, and a statement from the UN declaring the arrest "arbitrary" unless a "satisfactory response" is received from Israel.
Days before the official appeal, activists in Russia launched a campaign for the historian, who frequently criticized Israel. Over the past week, a series of petitions concerning his fate were published, calling on Russian authorities to show greater involvement in obtaining details. According to the activists, the reasons for the arrest and his procedural status have not been published, no formal indictments have been filed, and case files have not been disclosed.
In Russia's appeal, quoted by official channels, it was stated that the arrest was carried out by the Shin Bet, noting that arrests by the service are carried out "usually due to suspicions of crimes against state security."
"This fact gives reason to believe that the arrest stems from his political views, the document states. — Such a step constitutes a gross violation of the right to freedom of expression (Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights)."
Details published in Russia indicate that Kirpichenok landed at Ben Gurion Airport on a flight from Yerevan on August 2. All attempts by his associates to contact him have failed. Three days after his disappearance, the Russian Ambassador to Israel, Anatoly Viktorov, told the TASS agency that "Russian diplomats are monitoring the situation," but there have been no official comments from Russia on the matter since. Israeli authorities have also not addressed the situation.
Kirpichenok (51) was born in Saint Petersburg and immigrated to Israel in the 90s. He graduated from the Hebrew University and, about 15 years after his immigration, returned to live in Russia. He adopted a highly critical line against the State of Israel and frequently wrote against the country and Zionism.
