Lukin Calls For Distinguishing Between Espionage, Contacts With Foreigners

October 1, 2012 JRL Russia List Nonprofits, Activists, NGO's, Race, Ethnic, Extremism, Xenophobia, Spies, Spy Allegations

ST. PETERSBURG. Sept 28 (Interfax) – Russian human rights ombudsman Vladimir Lukin believes there is a need to distinguish between contacts with foreigners and espionage.

“Naturally, I believe espionage should be fought. Thank God, we have a very serious organization for fighting espionage. I am for a law-governed state, and, consequently, for legal certainty,” Lukin told reporters on Friday.

Lukin said there needs to be legal certainty that will distinguish between espionage and actions involving contacts with foreign organizations that do not lead to espionage.

“There is a need for full legal certainty, which will rule out arbitrariness and attempts to accuse of espionage groups and organizations who are not spies,” Lukin said, adding that spies are normally embedded in the bodies that fight espionage, not in public organizations.