Read more about press freedom conditions in Russia
New York, September 20, 2000 --- A regional court in the Russian
republic of Dagestan announced yesterday that the trial of the Russian
journalist Andrei Babitsky will begin at 10 a.m. on Monday, October
2.
Babitsky, a Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) correspondent
whose reporting on the war in Chechnya angered Russian authorities
and led to his detention last January, is being charged with carrying
false documents. If convicted, he faces a maximum fine of two months
salary.
On or around January 16, 2000, Russian military authorities secretly
detained Babitsky in a Russian-controlled area of Chechnya. His arrest
followed several weeks of harassment in retaliation for his coverage
of Russian military operations in the breakaway republic.
Babitsky's fate remained mysterious until late
January, as the authorities did not immediately announce that he was
in military custody. He was formally arrested on January 27, on the
charge of "participating in an armed formation" (this charge was later
dropped). On February 3, Russian military authorities abruptly handed
Babitsky over to purported Chechen rebels, whom Babitsky later claimed
were loyal to Moscow.
On February 25, Babitsky re-surfaced in Makhachkala, capital of neighboring
Dagestan. Russian authorities promptly arrested him on the charge
of possessing a false Azeri passport, which Babitsky claimed had been
forced on him by his Chechen captors after they took away his own
documents. Three days later he was flown to Moscow and forbidden from
leaving the city before his trial.
At the trial, which is expected to last several days, the journalist
will be accompanied by two lawyers and several colleagues from RFE/RL.
END
Terry
Anderson Interviews Andrei Babitsky (July 17, 2000)
Putin's
Media War (March 27, 2000)
Babitsky's
"Crime" and Punishment (February 28, 2000)
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more about press freedom conditions in Russia
