Russian mathematicians ask to postpone the math congress until the release of a colleague. He was convicted of breaking glass in the United Russia office

Russian scientists have sent a letter to the Executive Committee of the International Mathematical Union. The document was signed by 64 people. They ask to postpone the holding of the International Mathematical Congress in St. Petersburg until the release of their colleague Azat Miftakhov.

Miftakhov was convicted last year on charges of hooliganism – he was sent to a colony for six years for breaking glass in the United Russia office. Miftakhov himself called the case fabricated and talked about the torture in the department, after which he opened the veins.

Scientists believe that the persecution of Miftakhov was purposeful. In their opinion, holding the congress in a country where scientists are persecuted for political reasons will seriously damage the reputation of the International Mathematical Union, since science should be free from politics.

In addition, scientists note that the list of organizers includes a representative of the FSB. It was this department that also tried to accuse Miftakhov of preparing the terrorist attack. He was detained in February 2019 on suspicion of making a bomb, but no evidence was found.

In addition to Miftakhov, Elena Gorban and Andrey Eikin were involved in the case. According to versions charges, on January 31, 2018, all three attacked the United Russia office in the capital’s Khovrino district. Gorban is charged with breaking the window with a hammer, Aleksey Kobaidze (left the country) threw a smoke bomb into the office, Eikin filmed everything that was happening, Svyatoslav Rechkalov (wanted) posted an entry on the Internet, and Miftakhov stood nearby and watched the situation.

Together with Miftakhov, the anarchist Daniil Galkin was involved in the case. He said that he was beaten in a car with a stun gun for two or three hours. “Under torture, Galkin was forced to testify that Azat Miftakhov adheres to anarcho-communist views and participated in the actions of anarchists,” says the anarchist movement “People’s Self-Defense”. “Galkin was also forced to give a compromising anarchist interview to Channel One and promise on camera that he would cooperate with law enforcement agencies and report information about the struggle of anarchists with apartment raiders, and transfer the addresses of apartments defended by anarchists.”