This is especially true in a country that only recently allowed journalists permission to report critical news. Furthermore, the prosecution's behavior has been questionable. It has allegedly tried to some material to Pasko that, his lawyers say, could put him at risk of further prosecution. And the fleet's treatment of Pasko's wife, Galina Morozova, looks simply vindictive. The navy refused her visiting rights for much of the year simply because she talked to a reporter about the case.
Every state has a right to protect official secrets.
But in a democracy, it's not enough to declare that a journalist has threatened state interests. Pasko's prosecutors have failed to make a convincing argument, and their tactics recall uglier times in Russia's history. I think there's a necessity to continue such public talks and even to promote cooperation between naval officers of the United States and Russia. You aren't the only person who has asked to contact Mr. Taylor - others have asked how to get in touch with him. Unfortunately, we didn't save his e-mail address after we published his letter.