Russian journalist Igor Kuznetsov given 3-year suspended sentence, remains behind bars
New York, March 22, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists on Friday condemned the three-year suspended sentence issued to Russian journalist Igor Kuznetsov for participating in an extremist group and called on authorities to release him immediately and drop all charges against him. On Wednesday, a court in the Russian capital, Moscow, gave Kuznetsov, a reporter…
Spanish journalist Xavier Colás denied visa renewal, expelled from Russia
New York, March 22, 2024—Russian authorities must reconsider their decision to not renew the visa of Spanish journalist Xavier Colás and allow him to work freely in the country, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On Wednesday, Spanish daily newspaper El Mundo reported that Russian authorities refused to renew Colás’ visa, the outlet’s longtime correspondent in…
Spanish official threatens and doxxes journalists at 2 news outlets after corruption exposé
Berlin, March 21, 2024—Spanish authorities must conduct a swift, thorough, and transparent investigation into threats against and harassment of elDiario.es news website and El País newspaper and their journalists by an aide to Madrid’s regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso, after elDiario.es published allegations of corruption involving the conservative leader’s partner, the Committee to Protect Journalists…
Armed men take Nigerian journalist Segun Olatunji from Lagos home
Abuja, March 21, 2024—The Nigerian military should swiftly and publicly account for the whereabouts of First News editor Segun Olatunji, who was taken by armed men identifying themselves as officers with the army, disclose any charges against him, and ensure his safety, said the Committee to Protect Journalists on Thursday. On March 15, around 15…
Journalist Md Shofiuzzaman Rana arrested, 5 correspondents confined in Bangladesh government office
New York, March 20, 2024—Bangladesh authorities must immediately drop all charges against journalist Md Shofiuzzaman Rana and investigate the harassment of five journalists in northern Lalmonirhat district, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. Rana was held in jail for a week after police arrested the journalist on March 5. Rana, who works for the…
Haitian journalist Lucien Jura kidnapped as violence escalates in capital
Editor’s note: Since the publication of this report, Lucien Jura was released by kidnappers, his brother Erick Jura told CPJ on Thursday. Miami, March 20, 2024—The kidnappers of journalist Lucien Jura should release him immediately and not hold journalists as pawns, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. Jura was abducted from his home in…
CPJ welcomes release of DRC journalist Stanis Bujakera, calls for release of Blaise Mabala
Kinshasa, March 19, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s release of journalist Stanis Bujakera Tshiamala, but is alarmed by his six-month prison sentence and fine of 1 million Congolese francs (US$400) and the ongoing detention of journalist Blaise Mabala, who has been in custody since December. After more than…
Russia jails journalist over plane crash coverage, detains another during election
New York, March 19, 2024—Russian authorities must drop all charges against journalist Sergey Kustov, release him, and stop prosecuting the press to stifle their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On Monday, a court sentenced Kustov, chief editor of local broadcaster Bars, to 10 days imprisonment on charges of disobeying a police officer,…
Journalist Padam Prasad Pokhrel attacked while covering alleged police assault in Nepal
New York, March 19, 2024—Nepali authorities must swiftly and impartially investigate the attack on journalist Padam Prasad Pokhrel and hold the perpetrators to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On the evening of February 28, up to 15 police officers attacked Pokhrel, editor-in-chief of the news website Pranmancha, while the journalist was filming…
Witnesses: IDF assaulted, detained Al-Jazeera journalist in hospital raid
Editor’s note: Journalist Ismail Al-Ghoul was released by Israeli forces on Monday night after being held for almost 12 hours. In an interview with Al-Jazeera, Al-Ghoul recounted how he and several other journalists were assaulted by IDF soldiers, whom he said destroyed the journalists’ tent and damaged their equipment and press vehicles. Al-Ghoul said the…