Timeline (1), 1997-2008

11 December 202018 August 2025 / editors (JC)

In early July 1997, DMITRIEV together with Irina Flige and the late Veniamin Joffe discovered a huge killing field of the Great Terror near Medvezhegorsk in Karelia. Subsequently it became known as Sandarmokh. Weeks later, in early September, he and Sergei Chugunkov identify the Krasny Bor killing field and burial ground not far from Petrozavodsk, … Continue reading Timeline (1), 1997-2008

“Time may pass – the memory remains”

8 October 201816 December 2020 / editors (JC)

One of the last interviews Sergei KOLTYRIN, the arrested director of the Medvezhegorsk district museum, gave was to Nastoyashchee vremya, the online TV channel: https://www.currenttime.tv/a/29525989.html (Excerpts from a longer text on the website) "The death of a person’s reputation is perhaps worse than being actually murdered. After such allegations, the person carries on but with … Continue reading “Time may pass – the memory remains”

Update on Koltyrin arrest

5 October 201823 April 2021 / editors (JC)

On 3 October, Sergei KOLTYRIN and Yevgeny Nosov were remanded in custody until 27 November. The charges concern a 13-year-old boy. The Interfax news agency has asserted, citing an unnamed source, that Koltyrin has written a confession. As with all proceedings against Dmitriev, the prosecution is able to hold them behind closed doors because of … Continue reading Update on Koltyrin arrest

Russia arrests second historian of Stalin’s Terror

3 October 201814 December 2020 / editors (JC)

It is becoming dangerous in Russia to investigate the crimes of Stalinism, writes Halya Coynash. A second Karelian historian, Sergei KOLTYRIN has been arrested and is facing charges almost identical to those now brought against political prisoner, Yury DMITRIEV. Sergei Koltyrin While the possibility cannot be excluded that there are real grounds for these new … Continue reading Russia arrests second historian of Stalin’s Terror

Museum director detained “on suspicion of paedophilia”

2 October 201815 August 2025 / editors (JC) / 1 Comment

Sergei KOLTYRIN, director of the Medvezhyegorsk district museum, has been detained "with an accomplice" on suspicion of paedophilia, a source within law enforcement told the local Respublika website. This was later confirmed by the Investigative Committee of Karelia. Sergei Koltyrn, director of Medvezhyegorsk district museum Koltyrin has been heavily involved with the Sandarmokh memorial complex, … Continue reading Museum director detained “on suspicion of paedophilia”