Ukrainian collector risking jail sentence

[Eugen Mezei]

I haven't read the entire story now, but I think fast help (trial on the 19th oct.) is needed here.

http://www.ussrphoto.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2451

 

[Faintandfuzzy]

I haven't read the entire story now, but I think fast help (trial on the 19th oct.) is needed here.

http://www.ussrphoto.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2451

The level of stupidity from Russia now boggles the mind.

 

[mfogiel]

I think, that our Ukrainian members would like to point to the fact, that Russia and Ukraine, are independent states today. Secondly, I think that this is a misunderstanding that will be cleared soon. It is not possible not to note, that any mobile phone today, is a more useful spy camera than the F21.

 

[Sparrow]

I think, that our Ukrainian members would like to point to the fact, that Russia and Ukraine, are independent states today. Secondly, I think that this is a misunderstanding that will be cleared soon. It is not possible not to note, that any mobile phone today, is a more useful spy camera than the F21.

... please don't spoil peoples' prejudices with facts

 

[Fotohuis]

Court in this country can be sometimes very strange. Although they are now very close to the European Union there are still many different point of views.

But when not having all details and facts about this issue it is difficult to have an exact point for jugement. I have visited Ukraine pretty frequently. Also by car and I know about customs and declaration.

As far as I am informed about this case: Sign this petition!. Maybe next year I could be in a same rediculous situation.

 

[Wulfthari]

mmm...scary stuff.

 

[Dez]

There are currently several of these cameras on sale on ebay from vendors in Ukraine and Russia. It is obviously not considered a criminal item.

Cheers,
Dez

 

[noisycheese]

Let me get this straight: For merely owning this camera ( http://rafcamera.com/still-image-ca...submini/f-21-russian-kgb-button-camera-type-2 ) the guy is facing SEVEN YEARS IN PRISON??

WTF?!?!?! 😱

Owning an F21 does not a spy make any more than owing a set of scalpels makes a man a heart surgeon.

 

[Fotohuis]

More here and with an explanation in the links:

http://www.analoogfotoforum.nl/index.php/topic,8042.0.html

So you can have a problem with the simmilar Lomography Zenit MF-1 camera too, or what do you think when owning a Minox?

 

[Old MikeT]

Ukrainian collector risking jail sentence

Iv'e been a member for some time, but this is my first posting.
There have been several reports in the UK papers of photographers being hassled by police and 'security officers', but this is absurd.
I have sent the email to Vlad; the more signatures the better.

 

[goamules]

Yeah, whoever wrote that law (probably half a century ago) lived in a time that there was no privacy in their own country from their own government. They did, and still do, spy on their own people. Ironic that today a lot of people think the US is horrible for ...gasp...filtering email and phone traffic looking for terrorist communications! OH NO! At least we are free to collect (cameras and intelligence) what we want, say what we want, and pretty much do what we want.

All we'll hear about is the traitor Edward Snowden, given asylum because HIS actual SPYING may be useful, but little on this (and similar travesties of justice in the FSU) poor collector of an antique camera facing prison time. Ironic, no?

 

[Ronald M]

It is just as much a spy camera as it ever was. If the law is silly & unjust, which it is, then it needs to be changed. But for now, guilty as charged.

We rail against activist judges in the the USA, now it is promoted in another country. Activist judge is one who rules against the law bending and twisting it to suit his whim. That is not his job.

Just the other point of view.

 

[Addy101]

Correct Ronald. In our countries people go to jail for stupid things also - like a 25 years to life sentence for stealing a slice of pepperoni pizza in the US. :bang:
But there are probably also stupid cases in the Netherlands....

@goamules: I don't agree on your Snowden position, but this isn't the place to discuss it.

 

[Wulfthari]

It is just as much a spy camera as it ever was. If the law is silly & unjust, which it is, then it needs to be changed. But for now, guilty as charged.

We rail against activist judges in the the USA, now it is promoted in another country. Activist judge is one who rules against the law bending and twisting it to suit his whim. That is not his job.

Just the other point of view.

A judge should apply the law according to reason and coscience...they are not supposed to be robots or mindless people following orders, do you know how many laws are passed that are uncostitional in almost every country because the law makers elected by the people are too ignorant to read the basic legislation they are supposed to respect?

 

[uhoh7]

as everyone knows justice in the real world is hypothetical and how statutes are applied varies wildly at multiple levels, from cop to pros to judge--in this country.