OSCE Representative condemns attack on journalists in Russian Federation, calls for swift investigation
VIENNA, 10 March 2016 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today condemned yesterday’s attack against six journalists at the administrative boundary between the Chechen and Ingush Republics of the Russian Federation.
“I call upon the authorities of the Russian Federation to swiftly investigate this attack and bring the perpetrators to justice”, said Mijatović. "There must be no impunity for violence against journalists."
In the evening of 9 March, a minivan carrying eight participants of a press tour organized by the Russian NGO “Committee on the Prevention of Torture” was forced to stop by several other vehicles in Ingushetia.
The attackers forced everyone out of the minivan and beat them. The minivan was set on fire and at least four participants of the press tour had to seek medical attention for the injuries they sustained in the attack. Some of the injuries were severe.
“I welcome the swift reaction from the police in response to the attack and also the protective measures that were initiated,” Mijatović said.
The Representative noted statements by Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for the President of the Russian Federation, who reportedly said that the attack on 9 March was “absolutely outrageous and unacceptable”. Mijatović also noted that the Council for Civil Society and Human Rights under the President of the Russian Federation intends to call on the law-enforcement agencies for a thorough investigation of the incident.
The group of journalists consisted of Øystein Windstad, correspondent for Norway’s Ny Tid, Swedish Radio’s correspondent Lena Maria Persson Löfgren, Mediazona correspondent Egor Skovoroda, New Times’ correspondent Aleksandrina Elagina, blogger Mikhail Solunin, and former Kommersant staffer Anton Prusakov, as well as press secretary of the Committee on the Prevention of Torture Ivan Zhyltsov, and lawyer Ekaterina Vanslova. The group was reportedly followed throughout their tour on 8 and 9 March.
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.