Alla Djioeva's Open Letter to President-Elect of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin

Highly esteemed Vladimir Vladimirovich,

Many years ago by your decree I was awarded the title of "Russia's Honoured Teacher". Through all these years of my long ordeal, I kept the award, treasured it as an amulet, able to protect me against spiteful dark forces, and subtly hoped that Putin,Vladimir Vladimirovich cannot remain indifferent to the fate of a person who sacredly believed that his words and his deeds had same meaning and purpose.

Alas, now it's yet another lost illusion; and this sad fact forces to cast a fresh look at many things. And although I voted again for you; however, without the former enthusiasm and firm belief that you would help to bring the situation in South Ossetia back into the legal framework. I have plenty of grounds for pessimism, but in my attempt not to finally ruin myself with unbelief I write this letter to you – a cry of hope that you will respond and change something, at least give an estimate to the rude actions of the officials, who had put us all into dependence on lawlessness...

Today, in anticipation of your third inauguration as the President of the Russian Federation, it's just the time – more than ever – to speak openly and resolutely about the problems that arise before the society; and I'm going to do it, hoping for your understanding and support in these crucial time for South Ossetia.

While a few years ago I wrote to you about my personal drama and asked to help in holding an independent examination of the criminal case opened against me General Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of South Ossetia (RSO) in response to criticism, the current situation does not concern me personally, but the 56.7 percent of voters in South Ossetia, who were deprived of their victory by Moscow's emissaries.

As you know, on November 27, 2011, South Ossetia held the second round of presidential election. By the will of God, having no administrative resources or special funds, not supported by Moscow, I won support of the majority of voters in that dire election marathon. It happened because the citizens of South Ossetia had been provided with the right to elect freely and fairly – and they did it.

However, from that moment on, my thorny path began, which can't be treated other than an attempt on the clearly expressed people's choice. "Moscow doesn't want her", "A woman president has no place in the Caucasus", "Djioevais a pro-Georgian politician" – under these slogans the will of citizens of South Ossetiawas cancelled. It turned out that the right to elect freely was just nominal; and Moscowsupervising officials immediately demonstrated it.

And off it went. On November 29, 2011, the Supreme Court of the RSOaccepted to consideration – in violation of the "Law on the Presidential Election" – a complaint on November 27 (when there were no fixed election results yet) lodged by Ms Yashina from the "Edinstvo" (Unity) Party, and, having no factual materials in hand, contrary to 85 protocols of election commissions,signed by all the parties, statements of international observers and the final protocol of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of the RSO, satisfied the complaint.

Next was still more interesting. On November 29, the Parliament of the RSOappointed – on the basis of the substantive provisions of the above illegal decision of the court – the new presidential election for March 25, 2012, again in violation of the above Law. In the evening of the same day, the CEC of the RSO passed its Statement 101/37, which declared in its point three Ms Djioeva, A. A., the President-Elect of the RSO (by the way, to date, nobody has cancelled this Statement; it remains in force).

I hereby take the courage to inform you that the above political trick was organized by high-ranking officials from Moscow: by using all means with the aim to deprive us of any spirit of independence and by exerting incredible pressure on me and my supporters, they created a huge chaos, which nearly led the South-Ossetian society to the state of civil war. They stole our victory.

What aims did they pursue; whose interests did they defend; and what Russian prestige did they cherish? After all, any problem can be always addressed in a civilized and clever way, without devastating consequences for the society.

I am always open to dialogue and ready to understand any clear arguments in favour of these or those actions in the name of state interests, but not dictate, followed by stupid verdicts of bureaucrats. "Moscow doesn't want to see you as President", "Your ambitions and your level fail to meet the presidential status" –this and similar nonsense just doesn't match the status of a civil servant and elementary ethics of talking to a citizen of the Russian Federation.

Is this a dialogue? It's just an impudent enforcement to the "wanted" (by whom, why, based on what inferences?) results. The point is not just in me, it's a direct insult to the many thousands of citizens of RSO and Russia, who were deprived in a moment of their constitutional rights; the action, which undermines the foundations of statehood of the RSO, destroys the yet unformed civil society, and incites people against each other.

It seems absurd to me to explain the obvious: under huge financial investments, the republic remain practically un-restored; streets remain ruined; the staffing and structures are impossibly bloated; humanitarian aid is stolen; and the special account was plundered (after all, if 90 percent of the population say they haven't seen the funds raised for the population of the RSO after the war in August 2008, it's necessary to react immediately) – thisis not far from being an exhaustive list of problems that need answers, assessments and respective actions. And what do we have? Rustle of banknotes in the pockets of "important" people? Their desire to continue their work further? And all this –at the background of poverty of the vast majority of the population of the RSO (Russian citizens) and total persecution of those who ask "inappropriate" questions!

Instead of understanding on the part of the Russian state and punishment of perpetrators,I and my supporters have become objects of persecution – as if we, the advocates of a strong, fair and responsible power in the RSO, are state criminals, not those who have brought it to such a disgraceful state and still continue their violent abuse of people. For all of us it is deeply humiliating, and we ask you to give your estimates to everything that happens in South Ossetia.

Esteemed Vladimir Vladimirovich, I am writing to you from the Republic'sHospital of Tskhinvali, where I got more than a month ago as a result of the bandit actions committed on February 9 against me and my supporters. The hospital is not only the place of my involuntary treatment, but also a casemate, where I, a citizen of the Russian Federation, am vigilantly kept in custody. And there is absolutely no explanation of the fact of opening against me – the President of the Republic of South Ossetia, elected by the people, – of a new criminal case on charges of an attempt to overthrow the state power. This only exacerbates the already immense abyss of legal chaos, where my homeland has plunged.

And I'd like you to give me an answer: on which side are you – the person who has always defended the civil rights, the honour and dignity of Russian citizens? I understand that you are very busy. You may even not respond. At least give a signal. If, for example, you agree that I'm indeed such a notorious criminal, deprive me of that honorary title awarded by you. It will be enough for me to stop torturing myself, to stop suffering and hoping for something.

Alla Djioeva

Tskhinvali, March 12, 2012