Kazakhstan journalist Olesya Vertinskaya threatened, beaten
Stockholm, July 22, 2022 – Kazakh authorities must fully and transparently investigate the recent attack on journalist Olesya Vertinskaya and ensure her safety, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On the morning of Tuesday, July 19, an unidentified man attacked Vertinskaya, a correspondent for the independent news website and advocacy group Dorozhniy Kontrol, outside…
Tajikistan authorities announce further extremism investigations into 3 detained journalists
Stockholm, July 21, 2022 – Tajikistan authorities should drop criminal extremism and all other investigations into journalists Avazmad Ghurbatov, Zavqibek Saidamini, and Abdusattor Pirmuhammadzoda and release them and journalist Daler Imomali immediately, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. “The ongoing detentions and extremism investigations into four journalists known for their coverage of social injustices…
Greek broadcaster Real FM office targeted in arson attack
Berlin, July 18, 2022 – Greek authorities must quickly and thoroughly investigate the recent arson attack on the privately owned radio broadcaster Real FM, and ensure those responsible are held to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. In the early hours of July 13, two unidentified people attempted to enter the broadcaster’s headquarters…
Belarusian journalist Yury Hantsarevich sentenced to 2.5 years on extremism charges
Stockholm, July 14, 2022 – In response to a Belarus court’s sentencing of journalist Yury Hantsarevich to two years and six months in prison on an extremism charge Thursday, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement calling for authorities not to contest his appeal. “Sentenced today for taking photographs, Yury Hantsarevich is merely…
Italian police seize and search journalist Francesco Pesante’s phone in leak investigation
Berlin, July 14, 2022 – Italian authorities should drop any investigation into journalist Francesco Pesante and refrain from harassing members of the press in leak investigations, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On June 21, police in the southern town of Foggia summoned Pesante, managing director of the news website L’Immediato, to appear for…
Journalist Slava Radulov ejected from parliamentary session in Moldova
Paris, July 14, 2022 — Authorities in Moldova should investigate journalist Slava Radulov’s recent expulsion from covering a public parliamentary meeting, and ensure that the members of the press can work freely in the country, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On July 5, Dmitry Konstantinov, chair of the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia in…
Tajikistan authorities arrest 2 journalists who criticized other journalists’ detentions
New York, July 14, 2022 – Tajik authorities should immediately provide information on the whereabouts of journalist Zavqibek Saidamini and blogger Abdusattor Pirmuhammadzoda and ensure they are released from custody at once, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On the evening of July 8, plainclothes law enforcement officers in the capital, Dushanbe, detained Saidamini,…
Belarusian journalist Katsiaryna Andreyeva convicted of treason, sentenced to additional 8 years imprisonment
Paris, July 13, 2022 — In response to a Belarusian court’s conviction Wednesday of journalist Katsiaryna Andreyeva on treason charges, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement condemning the decision. “By convicting journalist Katsiaryna Andreyeva on ludicrous treason charges only a few months before the end of her first prison term, Belarusian authorities…
Russian authorities move to shutter journalist union JMWU over Ukraine war content
Paris, July 11, 2022 — In response to news reports that the Moscow prosecutor’s office has requested the closure of the independent Russian Journalists’ and Media Workers’ Union (JMWU) trade group, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement calling for authorities to cease harassing the union and to let it work freely: “Russian…
At least 5 journalists face court hearings over reporting in Belarus
Paris, July 11, 2022 – Authorities in Belarus should immediately stop harassing and prosecuting members of the press, and release all journalists imprisoned for their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. This week, at least four members of the press are scheduled to appear in court because of their work, and another was…