Russia
2016
Journalist threatened with murder in Russia
New York, December 21, 2016–The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on Russian authorities to ensure the safety of independent journalist Mikhail Afanasyev, editor of the online magazine Novy Fokus in the Siberian republic of Khakassia, after the head of a criminal gang based in a neighboring region threatened to kill him because of his…
Russia jails blogger over post criticizing military action in Syria
New York, December 20, 2016–The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on Russian authorities to release Aleksei Kungurov, a blogger from Siberia who was convicted of “calling for terrorism.” A regional court in Tyumen today sentenced Kungurov to two years in a prison colony over a blog post that criticized Russia’s actions in Syria, according…
Turkey’s crackdown propels number of journalists in jail worldwide to record high
At least 81 journalists are imprisoned in Turkey, all of them facing anti-state charges, in the wake of an unprecedented crackdown that has included the shuttering of more than 100 news outlets. The 259 journalists in jail worldwide is the highest number recorded since 1990. A CPJ special report by Elana Beiser
Chechen court to hear reporter’s appeal of conviction on retaliatory charges
New York, November 11, 2016–Chechen authorities should drop all charges against Zhalaudi Geriyev, a contributor to the independent regional news website Kavkazsky Uzel, and unconditionally release the journalist, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. The Chechen Supreme Court is scheduled to hear Geriyev’s appeal on November 15, according to his editor.
Getting Away With Murder
CPJ’s 2016 Global Impunity Index spotlights countries where journalists are slain and the killers go free By Elisabeth Witchel, CPJ Impunity Campaign Consultant Published October 27, 2016. Some of the highest rates of impunity in the murders of journalists can be attributed to killings by Islamist militant groups, CPJ found in its latest Global Impunity…
Ukrainian journalist detained in Russia on suspicion of espionage
New York, October 4, 2016 – Russian authorities should immediately release Ukrainian journalist Roman Sushchenko, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Sushchenko, a Paris-based correspondent for Ukraine’s state news agency, Ukrinform, is being held on accusations of espionage.
Russian journalist to be tried for alleging election irregularities
New York, September 27, 2016―Russian authorities should drop all charges against investigative journalist Denis Korotkov, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Korotkov, a correspondent for the independent news website Fontanka, is scheduled to appear before a Saint Petersburg court tomorrow, in connection with his alleging irregularities in Russia’s September 18 parliamentary elections.
Russian investigative journalist Grigory Pasko assaulted in Siberia
New York, September 27, 2016–Authorities in Russia’s southern Siberian republic of Altai should credibly investigate yesterday’s assault on investigative journalist and journalism trainer Grigory Pasko and swiftly bring those responsible to justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
Online journalist flees Russia following threats
New York, September 21, 2016–Russian authorities should credibly investigate threats against independent online journalist Aleksandr Sotnik and bring those responsible to justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Sotnik yesterday announced that he had fled Russia following threats connected to his critical reporting on Kremlin policies.
Global Magnitsky Act could be powerful weapon against impunity in journalist murders
Last week, the proposed Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act emerged from the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee with approval. The bill was passed by the Senate last year. If passed by the full House of Representatives and signed into law by the president, it has the potential to offer partial redress to one of…