International Romani Union president calls for aid to the mother of deceased journalist
On 26 August, Normunds Rudevičs, President of the International Romani Union (IRU), called on all who knew the late Romani activist and founder of Roma Virtual Network, Mr Valery Novoselsky, and who have the opportunity to send aid to support Mr Novoselsky’s mother, Klavdie Novoselsky. “During these tragic days we are calling on all who can provide aid, even the smallest possible amount, to do so and support his mother, who has been left without any other relatives in the town of Kirat Shamone in Israel and is combating cancer,” Rudevičs wrote.
The IRU President says any money donated will be used to cover Klavdie Novoselsky’s cost of living and the transport of her late son’s body back to Israel. Mr Novoselsky passed away on 20 August at the age of 46 while attending a Romani music festival in Riga, Latvia.
According to an official statement by the IRU, Mr Novoselsky committed suicide under the influence of heavy depression and a complicated personal situation. Mr Novoselsky was born on 15 April 1970 in Dniepropetrovsk, Ukraine, USSR.
He lived there until 1993. From 1993-1995 he lived in Moscow before moving to Israel.
In July 1999 Mr Novoselsky founded Roma Virtual Network and became a pioneer of the Romani Internet. Through several listservs he distributed information about Romani community affairs worldwide.
Mr Novoselsky became a member of the International Romani Union in the year 2000. He was an active member of other European Romani institutions as well.
The bank account information for Ms Klavdie Novoselsky is:
Israel Postal Bank-Kiryat Shmona
Novoselsky Klavdia ID Number: 316862960
IBN : IL 830090010000025153276
SWIFT Code : IOPAILIJ
Bank Number : 09 Branch: 01
