France urges Russia to free political prisoners

PARIS, France on Tuesday called on Russia to release political prisoners immediately and without conditions. The foreign ministry said France sternly condemns "the repressive tendency of the Russian regime," seen in the issuance of a six-year prison sentence against the theatrical director Zhenya Berkovich and the playwright, Svetlana Petriychukck.. France encourages the brave voices in support of the artists and stands on the side of the strugglers in Russia for their rights and freedoms, it said. The official statement reminded Moscow of its obligations toward the international law and basic rights and urged the Russian authorities to set free the political prisoners instantly and without any terms. (end) A Russian court on Monday convicted the pair to six years each in prison after finding them guilty of composing scripts that encourage terrorism. Source: Kuwait News Agency