OSCE media freedom representative concerned about conviction of Russian journalist, calls to lift ban on prohibition from working

VIENNA, 9 January 2014 – OSCE Media Freedom Representative Dunja Mijatović today expressed her concern over the sentence handed down to journalist Aksana Panova, founder and former chief editor of the Ura.ru and chief editor of Znak.com news agency in Yekaterinburg, Russia.

According to media reports on 9 January the Yekaterinburg District Court imposed a two-year conditional sentence on Panova and fined her 300,000 rubles on charges of extortion. Panova was also banned from working as a journalist for two years. The court dropped two other charges related to the abuse of power and coercion to conclude a business deal.

“I am appalled by today’s court decision to ban Panova from working as a journalist. It marks a worrying trend for free media in Russia and can stifle critical speech in the country,” Mijatović said.

In December 2012 Mijatović expressed concern about allegations leveled against Panova, which could be linked to her reporting critical of local authorities. Mijatović also noted concerns raised in support of Panova by various civil society activists and organizations, including the Council under the President of the Russian Federation on Human Rights, which underlined the political nature of the charges.