Representative on Freedom of the Media

VIENNA, 9 July 2013 - The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatović, today condemned the murder of the journalist Akhmednabi Akhmednabiyev in Russia’s republic of Dagestan.

“I am alarmed that yet another journalist has been killed in Russia. I offer my sincere condolences to Akhmednabiyev’s family, friends and colleagues,” Mijatović said.

Akhmednabiyev, the deputy editor-in-chief of the social-political Novoe Delo and contributor to the online media outlet Kavkazkij uzel, was gunned down by unknown assailants outside his home on Tuesday morning. In the past Akhmednabiyev received repeated threats and two attempts on his life were made. An investigation into an attempt on his life was launched in January 2012.

Mijatović welcomed today’s statement by the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation saying the case will be handled with the highest priority.

“I welcome the fact that the investigation into the murder has commenced and I trust the authorities will investigate this matter swiftly.”

“This murder is a horrid reminder that much more needs to done in Russia to ensure and guarantee the safety of journalists. There should be no impunity for killing of a journalist,” Mijatović said.