Russian lawyers criticise FSB for 'revenge' case

MOSCOW, July 20 (Reuters) Russian lawyers today criticised a criminal case against a prominent defence lawyer, warning that security service officers risked damaging Russia's image by using the judicial system to seek revenge.

Moscow Bar Association chief, Genri Reznik, said people serving in the Federal Security Service (FSB) had initiated a criminal case against lawyer Boris Kuznetsov to seek revenge for cases when he had taken on law enforcement agencies.

Moscow's prosecutor has opened a criminal case and a local court has sanctioned Kuznetsov's arrest for revealing state secrets by telling the constitutional court about phone bugging of a senator he was defending in a corruption case.

Kuznetsov fled Russia earlier this month.

He told Reuters this week he was the latest victim of a crackdown on lawyers under President Vladimir Putin. But he said the atmosphere was being set by former secret service men who think they can act with impunity under Putin.

Reznik said the council of Moscow's Bar Association, which includes Russia's top lawyers, would stand by Kuznetsov. He said the case should be closed because it was irrational.

''If it is not closed then the whole lawyer community in Russia and the whole lawyer community in the world, will stand up in defence of our colleague,'' he told reporters.

''Boris Kuznetsov has every ground to suppose that he is the victim of political persecution by the FSB for his professional work,'' he said.

A spokesman for the FSB refused to comment over the phone and requested written questions. Reuters faxed a letter to the FSB with details of Reznik's accusations and asking for comment.

''What dividends can the state, and in the current case the FSB represents the state, get from going after lawyer Kuznetsov?,'' Reznik said.

''This case is motivated by something which should not drive statesmen -- simple revenge,'' Reznik said. ''It is revenge against a lawyer who has upset people; Kuznetsov has participated in cases where the FSB are directly involved.'' The defence of former Federation Council senator Levon Chakhmakhchyan landed Kuznetsov in trouble because he provided evidence of a wire tap.

Kuznetsov's lawyer, Robert Zinovyev, said the wire tap had not been sanctioned by a court, making it a breach of the law and therefore not subject to the law on state secrets.

Reznik said: ''This can only provoke a wave of protest and indignation. The consequences are negative and it is negative for the image of the Russian justice system.'' Reuters RN DB2138