Save Professor Golubkin

Scientists, journalists, and human rights activists signed an open letter in defense of Zhukovsky TsAGI scientist Valery Golubkin. Among the signatories Mikhail Glazov, corresponding member. RAS, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Boris Stern, Doctor of Physics and Mathematics, writer Grigory Chkhartishvili, journalist Zoya Svetova, politician Dmitry Gudkov and many others

“Valery Nikolaevich Golubkin is a Doctor of Technical Sciences, theoretical physicist. Over more than 40 years of work at the Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute, he went from senior technician to leading researcher, and in February 2021 he was promoted to the position of chief researcher. Professor Golubkin is the author of more than 130 scientific publications, books, monographs, Honored Professor of MIPT, laureate of various state prizes and awards. There are only a few specialists of this level not only in Russia, but also in the world. But instead of gratitude for his faithful many years of work in the name of national science, Golubkin was charged with a particularly serious crime.

Early in the morning on the symbolic date of April 12, 2021, the state for the benefit of which he had worked all his life, represented by FSB officers, came to the professor’s home and called him for a conversation. Golubkin put on a suit - the same one he wore at work - and left for interrogation in Moscow. The scientist did not return home. On the same day, the most severe preventive measure was chosen for him and he was sent to the Lefortovo pre-trial detention center.

The investigation believes that Golubkin transferred materials containing state secrets abroad. However, in fact, we are talking about reports within the framework of an international project to create a hypersonic passenger aircraft, in which Russia participates along with the European Space Agency, scientists from Australia, the Netherlands, Italy, and which contain information published in numerous open scientific publications, including in the journal Scientific Notes of TsAGI. For the fact that Golubkin handed over reports to foreign partners that the Russian side was obliged to submit as part of a government-approved project, he faces imprisonment for up to 20 years. The professor himself had access to state secrets only under the 3rd form - this is what trainees at technical universities receive.

The story of Professor Golubkin unfolds in the year declared by Putin as the year of science and technology. As planned, this grandiose event should attract young people into the field of science and demonstrate the prospects for a research career in our country. However, in reality, something different is demonstrated - they can come for anyone, no one will prove anything, and the verdict will still be guilty.

The tendency to intimidate scientists is already leading to serious consequences:

• the growth of scientific emigration of the younger generation of scientists;
• disruption of the process of training new scientific personnel in the country, destroying the continuity of scientific generations;
• disruption of exploratory research work, which is carried out in accordance with the instructions of the President to create advanced scientific potential for the future achievements of the Russian Federation, including in the field of the country's defense capability.

Unfounded criminal prosecutions of scientists from various fields of science represent not only an inhumane medieval trial, but also a strategic threat to the security of the state, which the leadership of our country is (seemingly) vigilant about.

Valery Nikolaevich is 69 years old, he has four children and already nine grandchildren. Right now he should be with his family, and not in the Lefortovo pre-trial detention center. And his children should not make excuses to their grandchildren, explaining to them why their grandfather cannot be there. Right now, he should continue to work for the benefit of Russian science, and not be in a narrow cell with bars on the windows and an hour-long walk under the roof of the prison.

We demand the immediate release of Valery Nikolaevich Golubkin, as well as an end to unfounded criminal prosecutions of scientists and pressure from security forces on Russian fundamental science!”

A petition has also been created on the website change.org in support of Valery Golubkin, which anyone can sign. To do this, just follow the link change.org/savegolubkin