Former Czech president Vaclav Havel among signatories to open letter attacking Russia's record on democracy and political freedom

Former Czech president Vaclav Havel has signed on to an open letter attacking Russia's record on democracy and political freedom. The letter's 75 signatories include former prime ministers of soviet bloc countries like Estonia, as well as advocates of democracy from Europe and the United States, including current and former lawmakers. The open letter is to be published in the UK's Financial Times newspaper on May 9, to coincide with ceremonies in Moscow marking the end of the Second World War. The signatories accuse Russia of betraying the principles behind the victory against Nazi Germany 60 years ago, and say Russia's plan to mark the anniversary in Moscow makes "a mockery" of the struggle for freedom.