Sochi air traffic controller sentenced for high treason refused a pardon

Family members of Pyotr Parpulov, who was sentenced to 12 years of imprisonment in a high-security penal colony for high treason, were notified that the former air traffic controller had been refused a pardon.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that in January 2016, Pyotr Parpulov was sentenced to 12 years of imprisonment in a high-security penal colony on the charge of high treason under Article 275 of the Criminal Code. Pyotr Parpulov insisted he was not guilty. The Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial" recognized Pyotr Parpulov as a political prisoner. The Supreme Court (SC) of Russia refused to satisfy an appeal filed against the verdict.

The document with the refusal in a pardon for the former air traffic controller with reference to the decision of the Russian President was signed by A. Efimenko, the deputy chair of the Pardon Commission on the territory of the Tambov Region, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was informed by Yulia, a daughter of Pyotr Parpulov.

"In last September, my father filed an appeal for a pardon. He has been waiting for more than six months, and today, on March 12, it becomes known that he is refused ... We will try to find out from the Commission the reasons for the refusal. We believe the refusal is provoked by the fact that the father does not admit his guilt. But why should he plead guilty if he has not committed any crime?" said Yulia Parpulova.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.