News from Ukraine. March 18, 2000
After the charges dropped against Sergei Piontkovski by the prosecutor in Sevastopol, the
Dr.Piontkovski's plan was to continue his joint scientific studies with the colleagues in the US and
UK. He purchased tickets with KLM, planning the flight on March 18, 2000. He was checked in at
the airport in Kiev (Ukraine), accompanied by his wife and his 11 years old son Andrey. Thirty
minutes before depature he was stopped by the boader customs. He was informed that he is not
allowed to cross the boader and that his luggage will be removed from the aircraft. The flight was
delayed due to this procedure.
The question is are we dealing with a new case of violation of human rights in Ukraine ? Needles
to note, that in February 2000, as the scientist from Ukraine, Dr.Piontkovski was honored in
Washington by the AAAS program (which deals with the science and human rights
problems). Being under criminal charges at those time, Dr. Piontkovski was unable to attand the
reception. His friends in Washington gave an interview on his behalf and showed a videotape with a talk of Dr. Piontkovski to AAS meeting -2000.