Moscow, April 28 – RAPSI. Russian journalists suggest that publishing photos of Russian judges on high-profile cases be restricted for their safety. RIA Novosti Editor-in-Chief Svetlana Mironyuk called for this measure at the first session of the Public Commission on Collaboration with Moscow’s Community of Judges.

The commission established at the initiative of Olga Yegorova, Head of the Moscow City Court, was joined by representatives of the leading Russian media, human rights activists and judges. Pavel Gusev, Moskovsky Komsomolets Editor-in-Chief, was unanimously elected chairman of the commission.

“I suggest discussing a convention that would restrict taking photos of judges and then publishing the photos in open access media,” Mironyuk said at a meeting that focused on the security of judges on high profile cases.

The RIA Novosti Editor-in-Chief added that restrictions do not have to be imposed by strict regulations. She believes an agreement between the media would be enough.

Olga Yegorova said the Moscow City Court had recently provided four judges with bodyguards because they had been receiving threats related to their current cases.

The Public Commission on Collaboration with Moscow’s Community of Judges was created after President Dmitry Medvedev suggested increasing public control of court proceedings.

Svetlana Mironyuk heads a work group set up for building a partnership between the media and the judges.

She also suggested that representatives of the Russian Legal Information Agency (RAPSI) join the commission as experts.