Russia appealed to the United Nations over the weekend to secure the release of a Russian-Israeli historian who Moscow says has been in Shin Bet custody since disappearing upon his arrival in Israel earlier this month.

Artyom Kirpichenok, who lives in Russia and is known for his criticism of Israel, came to Israel on August 4 for a conference but hasn’t been seen since getting off the plane. Family and friends who have tried to contact him have been unsuccessful, according to Hebrew media reports.

According to Russia, Kirpichenok was detained upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport by the Shin Bet security service and taken into custody.

Neither the Shin Bet, nor the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have responded to requests for comment on Kirpichenok.

Russia’s Council for Civil Society and Human Rights, in a letter to the UN’s Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, urgently requested that it compel Israel to explain his disappearance and reported detention, and to allow him access to legal council and medical treatment.

The appeal argued that Kirpichenok’s detention is arbitrary, saying that the reasons for it and his legal status have not been disclosed, that no formal charges have been brought against him, and that the case materials have not been made public. It also said the historian’s access to a lawyer has been restricted and that he is unable to challenge the legality of his........

© The Times of Israel