Valentin Danilov

Valentin Danilov (born 1951) is a Russian physicist, whose research deals with the effect of solar activity on space satellites.

Danilov was head of the Thermo-Physics Centre at Krasnoyarsk State Technical University. He has signed a contract between the KSTU and China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, KSTU was supposed to make a test bench used to emulate effect of space on man-made satellites for CASC. He has received 466,000 rubles from the University to buy parts for the test bench, which were transferred to two Moscow banks and cashed out, with equipment never actually assembled (the University successfully sued Danilov to return the money and always supported the prosecution on the embezzlement charge). Danilov claimed he gave the money to two scientists who actually built the equipment, but both of them died before they could give any information. [ [http://www.kommersant.ru/doc.aspx?docsid=522862 Valentin Danilov given time to gather things] ] On November 5, 2004, a Krasnoyarsk jury convicted Danilov of espionage and embezzling funds. He was subsequently sentenced to 14 years in jail for treason. According to human rights organizations, his sentence was unjustified, because Danilov provided documents to the court showing that all the "secret information" has been in fact declassified. [ [http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGEUR460032007?open&of=ENG-346 "Russian Federation: Concerns about scientists, journalists and lawyers being targeted through criminal cases concerning treason and divulging state secrets"] , Amnesty International Public Statement, January 19, 2007] [ [http://shr.aaas.org/aaashran/alert.php?a_id=290 Statement by AAAS] ]

According to a statement by Amnesty International, "as in the case of Igor Sutyagin, his first trial ended in acquittal; the court concluded that the prosecution had not established violations of the law by Valentin Danilov. In June 2004, the Supreme Court of Russia quashed the verdict of acquittal; following a second, closed trial, Valentin Danilov was convicted of treason (Article 275 of the Russian Criminal Code) and sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment in November 2004."

Chronology

* February 2001 - Danilov arrested by FSB.
* October 2, 2002 - Danilov released on bail.
* December 29, 2003 - a jury acquits Danilov of espionage charges.
* June 9, 2004 - the Supreme Court of Russia overturns Danilov's acquittal of espionage.
* November 12, 2004 - another jury convicts Danilov of espionage.
* November 25, 2004 - Danilov is sentenced to 14 years.

References

External links

* [http://shr.aaas.org/aaashran/alert.php?a_id=290 Statement by AAAS]
* [http://www.nyas.org/programs/human_russia.asp Letters in support of Danilov] by Committee on Human Rights of Scientists
* [http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGEUR460032007?open&of=ENG-346 Russian Federation: Concerns about scientists, journalists and lawyers] by Amnesty International, 19 January 2007
* [http://www.sps.ru/?id=164791 Press-Conference on Physicist Valentin Danilov’s Trial]