Helsinki Commision Chairman's Statement on Gusinsky Release

WASHINGTON - Commission on Cooperation in Europe (the Helsinki Commission) Chairman Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ) issued the following statement following the release of Russian television executive Vladimir Gusinsky: "I am thankful that Mr. Gusinsky has been released, but President Vladimir Putin's police still have some explaining to do."

"We will continue to monitor this situation very carefully. The fact of the matter is that the Russian Government is attempting to muzzle the independent media and Mr. Gusinsky's arrest is strong evidence of that."