The number of stateless individuals remained high; ethnic minorities continued to face discrimination. Legislative developments to improve LGBTI rights slowed. A government minister attempted to limit funding to NGOs working on equality and gender issues.

Vladimir Botchko has had his death sentence commuted to life imprisonment.

AI has learned that Mihail Talyschanov has had his death sentence commuted to life imprisonment.

Vladimir Botchko, aged 34, was sentenced to death at Harju county court on 16 December 1992. He had been convicted of the rape and murder of a child. AI is concerned that he may face imminent execution.

Oleg Pyatnicky’s death sentence has been commuted by the President, Lennart Meri.

Oleg Pyatnicky was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment in 1985 for aggravated murder, rape and robbery. In November 1991, while serving his sentence, he and two others killed a fellow prisoner in Rummu No 2 Prison Camp. He was sentenced to death by the Supreme Court on 2 September 1992. He did not...

See below.