OSCE media freedom representative condemns attack on Russian journalist, welcomes police investigation

VIENNA, 29 May 2012 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatović, condemned today the attack on Russian radio journalist Sergei Aslanyan and called upon authorities to swiftly identify the perpetrators.

“I welcome the fast reaction of the police in launching an investigation, but I remain deeply concerned by this new case of violence against a journalist. I hope the investigation will help quickly identify the perpetrators of this attack and clarify their motives,” Mijatović said.

Aslanyan last night was assaulted by one or several individuals near his apartment building in Moscow. The journalist suffered several wounds and required surgery.

Aslanyan worked for many years for the Ekho Moskvy radio station. He now regularly appears as an invited expert on Radio Mayak’s Central Committee programme.