OSCE media freedom representative concerned about missing Ukrainian journalist, welcomes authorities' prompt reaction
VIENNA, 20 August 2010 - The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatovic, today expressed grave concern over the disappearance of Ukrainian journalist Vasil Klymentyev and welcomed the prompt reaction of the Ukrainian authorities.
"I welcome the personal attention of President Viktor Yanukovych in the investigation of this case, and his call for Ukrainian law enforcement to do everything possible to find Vasil Klymentyev," said Mijatovic.
Mijatovic also wrote a letter to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kostyantyn Gryshchenko commending the Kharkiv Dzerzhinsky District Police Department's decision to immediately open a criminal case classified as 'premeditated murder': "This allows the investigators to use more efficient tools to search for the journalist. I hope that all these efforts will bring swift results."
Klymentyev, chief editor for the Kharkiv-based weekly Novyi Stil, disappeared on 11 August and is still reported missing. Although small in circulation, Novyi Stil was popular because of its in-depth investigative reports, and his colleagues have expressed concern that Klymentyev's disappearance is connected to his professional work.
"Keeping in mind the unsolved murder of Georgy Gongadze, I trust the Ukrainian authorities will conduct a swift and transparent investigation in the case of Klymentyev," said Mijatovic.
"Possible violence against journalists in reprisal for their work should be investigated by the authorities with full vigour not only to fulfil the country's OSCE media freedom commitments, but to also publicly recognize the important role journalists play in a democratic society."