OSCE Media Freedom Representative welcomes release of journalist Igor Rudnikov, calls on authorities in Russia to drop all charges
VIENNA, 17 June 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today welcomed the release from custody of journalist Igor Rudnikov, the editor and founder of the Kaliningrad-based Noviye Kolyosa newspaper, and called on the authorities in the Russian Federation to drop all charges and fully acquit the journalist.
On 17 June the Moskovsky District Court of Saint Petersburg ruled to change Rudnikov’s charges from extortion to arbitrariness and sentenced him to 550 hours of community service. However, the journalist was released in the courtroom on account of the period of 20 months spent in pre-trial detention. In addition, the decision on the seizure of his property was repealed.
“I call on the authorities to drop all charges and fully acquit the journalist. The release of Igor Rudnikov, after his lengthy arrest, is a relief, he should never have been arrested in the first place and forced to spend 20 months in pre-trial detention,” Désir said.
In November 2017 Rudnikov was detained by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) on allegations of extorting money from a high-level law enforcement official in the Kaliningrad region. The editorial office of the newspaper was searched. Some reports stated that Rudnikov was beaten by law enforcers at the time of his detention, and spent time in hospital with a broken arm and cerebral trauma.
The journalist and his newspaper are well-known for their investigative journalism that is critical of local authorities. His detention was extended several times.
“I hope that Igor Rudnikov and his colleagues from Noviye Kolyosa will be able to continue their journalistic work without pressure and intimidation in the future,” Désir said. “No journalist in the Russian Federation, and elsewhere in the OSCE region, should be targeted in retaliation for their work.”
The Representative has previously expressed concern about the arrest Igor Rudnikov and the fate of the Novye Kolesa newspaper (see: https://twitter.com/OSCE_RFoM/status/982191136373587969 and https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/410726; https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/402110).
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He 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.