Russian Dmitry Kraiukhin has written to the Abingdon branch of Amnesty International thanking members for their support during a court case involving racism and a neo-Nazi organisation.

Mr Kraiukhin, from Orel, is the director of United Europe, a group that campaigns against racism. In court, United Europe challenged the activities of a neo-Nazi organisation and later members, including Mr Kraiukhin, received death threats.

John Killick chairman of Abingdon Amnesty said: "I sent Dmitry a card portraying a barn owl, a bird that is found in Orel. He has replied thanking us for our support. The reply came with not just one but six signatures."

In his letter Mr Kraiukhin thanked Abingdon members for their support and added: "We are pleased to know that you are aware of human rights issues."

For the fourth year running Abingdon Amnesty sent out 1000 letters to foreign governments and more than 200 cards to prisoners. Two hundred letters were sent to Mexico and three smaller Central American countries.