In Russia, independent paper faces harassment

We issued this statement today after the Russian press reported the brief detention and harassment by Khimki police of two people handing out copies of the independent newspaper Khimkinskaya Pravda, whose editor, Mikhail Beketov, remains hospitalized two months after unknown attackers beat him nearly to death…

 “We are outraged by the Khimki police’s detention, harassment, and verbal abuse of at least two people trying to hand out copies of  Khimkinskaya Pravda, and call on the local authorities to immediately investigate the incidents and bring to justice not just the police officers but also those who ordered their illegal actions,” said CPJ Europe and Central Asia Program Coordinator Nina Ognianova. “Khimkinskaya Pravda is an important news source for the Khimki public, especially in the run-up to March local elections.”