OSCE Representative reiterates call on Russian authorities to ensure journalists’ safety and end impunity after attack on journalist in Irkutsk Region
OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović, at the Permanent Council in Vienna, 16 January 2014. (OSCE/Micky Kroell) Photo details
VIENNA, 26 May 2016 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today once again expressed concern about the safety of journalists in the Russian Federation following an attack on Denis Kuchmenko, a journalist and Director General of the Gorod media holding company in Bratsk in the country’s Irkutsk Region.
On 25 May Kuchmenko was brutally beaten by two men in masks near his apartment. He was hospitalized with a broken arm and multiple bruises. Kuchmenko links the attack to his reporting on local authorities. Mijatović noted that the Russian Union of Journalists raised concern about the case and that police have started an investigation.
“I hope the investigation will help identify and prosecute the perpetrators of the attack,” Mijatović said. “At the same time, I remain deeply concerned by the continuing violence against journalists in Russia and urge the authorities to take vigorous action to protect media professionals and end impunity.”
The Representative also noted reports of an attack on Deputy Editor of the Minuta Istiny newspaper Oleg Kunitsyn on 11 May in Vologda city, in Vologda Region. Kunitsyn was hospitalized after being reportedly shot twice with a traumatic pistol by an unidentified person.
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She 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.
On 25 May Kuchmenko was brutally beaten by two men in masks near his apartment. He was hospitalized with a broken arm and multiple bruises. Kuchmenko links the attack to his reporting on local authorities. Mijatović noted that the Russian Union of Journalists raised concern about the case and that police have started an investigation.
“I hope the investigation will help identify and prosecute the perpetrators of the attack,” Mijatović said. “At the same time, I remain deeply concerned by the continuing violence against journalists in Russia and urge the authorities to take vigorous action to protect media professionals and end impunity.”
The Representative also noted reports of an attack on Deputy Editor of the Minuta Istiny newspaper Oleg Kunitsyn on 11 May in Vologda city, in Vologda Region. Kunitsyn was hospitalized after being reportedly shot twice with a traumatic pistol by an unidentified person.
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She 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.