Europe & Central Asia
2022
CPJ condemns 14-year jail sentences for Crimean journalists Osman Arifmemetov and Rustem Sheikhaliev
Paris, November 25, 2022 – In response to news reports that a Russian court on Thursday sentenced Crimean Tatar journalists Osman Arifmemetov and Rustem Sheikhaliev to 14 years in prison, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “The draconian 14-year prison sentences for Crimean Tatar journalists Osman Arifmemetov and Rustem Sheikhaliev demonstrate just how intent Russian authorities are on eliminating any…
Kyrgyz authorities deport investigative journalist Bolot Temirov to Russia
New York, November 23, 2022—In response to news reports that Kyrgyz authorities on Wednesday deported investigative journalist Bolot Temirov to Russia, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement of condemnation: “The deportation of Bolot Temirov, a Kyrgyz citizen and arguably Central Asia’s leading anticorruption investigator, is an outrageously irresponsible and vindictive move, which…
Staff of Serbian newspaper Danas gets email threatening Charlie Hebdo attack
Berlin, November 9, 2022—Serbian authorities should conduct a quick and thorough investigation into the threats made against staff at the privately owned Danas daily newspaper, bring the perpetrators to justice, and ensure the journalists’ safety, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On Sunday, November 6, an unknown individual from an email address with the…
Turkish president asked Sweden to deport exiled journalist Bülent Keneş
New York, November 9, 2022 – In response to news reports that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan asked Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson to deport exiled journalist Bülent Keneş back to Turkey on Tuesday, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement, warning Sweden to not to set a dangerous precedent by endangering Keneş’ safety: “Under no…
CPJ asks British authorities to strengthen protection for London-based Iran International staff
Washington, D.C., November 8, 2022—The Committee to Protect Journalists on Tuesday asked British authorities to strengthen their protection of threatened staff members of Iran International, a Persian-language news television channel based in London, and demanded that they hold Iranian authorities accountable for transnational crimes. “Time and again Iranian authorities have acted with impunity in attempting…
Kyrgyzstan freezes Radio Azattyk bank account under money laundering laws
Stockholm, November 4, 2022—Kyrgyz authorities should immediately restore access to the bank account and website of Radio Azattyk, U.S. Congress-funded broadcaster Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s local service, and cease all attempts to obstruct the outlet’s work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On Monday, October 31, staff at the local offices of Turkey-based DemirBank…
Four Greek investigative journalists say intelligence authorities followed them, tracked their phones
Berlin, November 4, 2022—Greek authorities must conduct a quick, transparent, and independent investigation into claims that investigative journalist Tasos Telloglou was stalked and that intelligence officials used cell phone data to surveil him and reporters Thodoris Chondrogiannos, Thanasis Koukakis, and Eliza Triantafillou, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. In an October 24 article and…
Tajik journalist Zavqibek Saidamini sentenced to 7 years in prison
Stockholm, November 4, 2022 – In response to news reports that a court in Tajikistan on Thursday, November 3, sentenced independent journalist Zavqibek Saidamini to seven years in prison, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “Tajik authorities have done their utmost to shroud their prosecution of journalists in secrecy. Yet, available evidence…
Ukrainian law enforcement beat, damage equipment of journalists covering protest
Paris, November 3, 2022—Ukrainian authorities should swiftly investigate law enforcement officers’ assault on four journalists covering a protest and ensure that members of the press can work safely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. Overnight on November 1 to 2, officers in the Ukrainian central city of Zhovti Vody obstructed the work of and…
Journalist Baktursun Jorobekov beaten unconscious in Kyrgyzstan
Stockholm, November 2, 2022 – Kyrgyz authorities should fully and swiftly investigate a recent attack on journalist Baktursun Jorobekov and hold the perpetrators to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On the evening of Wednesday, October 26, four unidentified men severely beat Jorobekov, a correspondent with the independent broadcaster Super TV, near his…