VIENNA, 7 February 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, strongly condemned today the attack on Novaya Gazeta’s investigative journalist Elena Milashina and lawyer Marina Dubrovina in Grozny, the capital of the Chechen republic of the Russian Federation.

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PRESS RELEASE

Attack against journalist and lawyer in Grozny, Russia, extremely concerning, OSCE Media Freedom Representative urges full and thorough investigation

According to reports, on the night of 6 February, a group of 15 individuals attacked Milashina and Dubrovina inside the Continental Hotel in Grozny, where the pair were to attend the hearing of Islam Nukhanov. Milashina suffered serious bruises to her head, as well as cuts to her shoulder and neck. One of the assailants filmed the attack.

“I strongly condemn this violent attack against Elena Milashina and Marina Dubrovina,” said Désir. “This is a very worrying incident. I urge the authorities to investigate this attack thoroughly and fully, in order to bring those responsible to justice. It is paramount that journalists are able to work in a safe environment, without fear of reprisals.”

Reportedly, investigators responding to the event prevented Milashina from approaching a bystander, who might have witnessed the attack, to ask questions. Milashina links the attack to her professional journalistic activities, as she had previously received threats for publishing articles related to human rights violations in Chechnya.

The Representative recalled the OSCE Ministerial Council Decision on Safety of Journalists, which urges participating States to “condemn publicly and unequivocally all attacks and violence against journalists such as killing, torture, enforced disappearance, arbitrary arrest, arbitrary detention and arbitrary expulsion, intimidation, harassment, and threats of all forms, such as physical, legal, political, technological or economic, used to suppress their work and/or unduly force closure of their offices, including in conflict situations.”

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.

For PDF attachments or links to sources of further information, please visit: https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/445666

Contacts:

Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
Wallnerstrasse 6
1010 Vienna
Austria
Office: +43 1 514 36 6800
Fax: +43 1 514 36 6802
[email protected]

Ton van den Brandt

Office: +43 1 514 36 6806
[email protected]

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