Demonstrators attack RFE/RL office in Armenia, assault 2 journalists
New York, November 11, 2020 – Armenian authorities should thoroughly investigate the attack on the office of the Azatutyun broadcaster and two of its journalists, and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. At about 4 a.m. yesterday, a group of approximately 40 people attempted to break into the Yerevan…
EU should withdraw draft resolution that threatens encryption
November 10, 2020—The Committee to Protect Journalists expressed concern after the Council of the European Union proposed a draft resolution last week calling for national authorities across the EU to have access to encrypted messages as part of criminal investigations into terrorism and organized crime. Journalists rely on encryption to evade surveillance and protect their…
Russian journalist Aleksandr Pichugin awaiting verdict, sentencing in false news trial
Vilnius, Lithuania, November 10, 2020 — Russian authorities should immediately drop all charges against journalist Aleksandr Pichugin and allow him to work freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Tomorrow, a court in the central Russian city of Nizhny Novgorod is scheduled to announce the verdict and sentence in the trial of Pichugin, the chief…
Belarus authorities arrest journalists, issue jail sentences, launch investigation
Vilnius, Lithuania, November 6, 2020 – Belarusian authorities should stop arresting and prosecuting journalists and allow news media to report on the country’s political situation freely and safely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Yesterday, police in the capital Minsk detained Nasta Zacharevich of internet news portal Zeleny, according to the Belarusian Association of…
Azerbaijani journalist Afgan Sadygov sentenced to seven years in prison
New York, November 4, 2020 – Azerbaijani authorities should release journalist Afgan Sadygov and drop all charges against him, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Yesterday, Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced Sadygov, chief editor of the independent news website Azel.tv, to seven years in prison, according to news reports, his wife Sevinch Sadygova, and his lawyer Elchin Sadygov, both…
Moldovan airline employee prevents Russian journalist Irek Murtazin from boarding flight to Moldova
New York, November 4, 2020 – Moldovan authorities should immediately investigate an incident in which Russian journalist Irek Murtazin was prevented from boarding an Air Moldova flight to Moldova, and ensure that journalists can freely report on the country’s presidential elections, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On October 31, at Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport,…
Italian TV crew covering anti-lockdown demonstration attacked and chased in Naples
In the evening of October 23, 2020, a group of protesters attacked and chased Paolo Fratter, a reporter for Italian news channel Sky TG 24, and his camera operator, Fabio Giulianelli, while they were covering a demonstration against the COVID-19 lockdown in Naples, according to a report by their employer and Fratter, who communicated with…
Russian police detain, interrogate journalist Yana Toporkova, raid her home
New York, October 29, 2020 – Russian authorities should immediately return equipment confiscated from journalist Yana Toporkova and ensure that members of the press are not harassed by law enforcement, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On October 2, three men in plainclothes who identified themselves as police officers raided Toporkova’s apartment in the…
Italian journalist Mimmo Rubio threatened over coverage of COVID-19 protests, organized crime
Berlin, October 29, 2020 — Italian authorities must conduct a swift and thorough investigation into the threats to journalist Mimmo Rubio and ensure his safety, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On October 19, a group of about 20 people driving scooters and demonstrating against the coronavirus lockdown in Arzano, in southern Italy, staged…
Hungarian police question journalists for ‘illicit data collection’ after use of drone footage
Berlin, October 28, 2020 — Hungarian police must stop harassing journalists Gabriella Horn and Balázs Gulyás, and drop any investigation into their sources and their use of drone footage to report on information of public interest, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On October 26, the business crime unit of the Hungarian police in…