Court hits PEN with hefty tax bill, freezes its bank account
New York, February 10, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by a Moscow court’s decision to impose hefty property taxes on the Russian branch of International PEN, an association of writers that promotes artistic exchange and defends free expression. The ruling against PEN comes against the backdrop of a government crackdown on nongovernmental organizations…
Reporter beaten in North Ossetian capital
FEBRUARY 3, 2006 Olga Kiry, Channel One ATTACKED Kiry, a North Ossetia correspondent for the national television station Channel One, was beaten when reporting at a hospital in the North Ossetian capital, Vladikavkaz. Kiry tried to report on the condition of patients hospitalized with serious injuries resulting from explosions at local gambling parlors the night…
Chechen comments lead to editor’s conviction for ‘inciting hatred’
New York, February 3, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the criminal conviction of Stanislav Dmitriyevsky, director of the human rights organization Russian-Chechen Friendship Society and editor of its newspaper Pravo-Zashchita. Today’s verdict is based on the newspaper’s publication of comments from Chechen rebel leaders calling for peace talks.
Editor threatened, cameraman assaulted
JANUARY 27, 2006 Aleksandr Sveshnikov, Bogatei THREATENED Yuri Smirnov, TVTs-Saratov ATTACKED Sveshnikov, deputy editor of the newspaper Bogatei, was threatened and Smirnov, cameraman with the television station TVTs-Saratov, was assaulted. The incidents came as the journalists tried to cover the government’s seizure of a building hosting the institute Saratovpromproekt in the Volga region city of…
In Russia, Putin signs restrictive NGO bill
New York, January 17, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply troubled by news today that Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed into law a restrictive bill regulating the work of nongovernmental organizations, including those dedicated to promoting press freedom and supporting independent media. Putin signed the bill on January 10, but news of his…
In Klebnikov case, opening hearing held in closed court
New York, January 10, 2006—Three ethnic Chechens charged in connection with the July 2004 murder of Forbes Russia Editor Paul Klebnikov went on trial today in a Moscow court that was closed to the public, according to local and international press reports. Kazbek Dukuzov and Musa Vakhayev are charged with killing Klebnikov, an American journalist…