OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media expresses concern on detention and situation of Russian journalist Igor Rudnikov

VALLETTA, 3 November 2017 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today expressed concern regarding the detention of and reports of violence against journalist Igor Rudnikov in Kaliningrad in the Russian Federation and called on the authorities to release him.

According to reports, on 1 November Rudnikov, editor and founder of the Noviye Kolyosa newspaper, was forcefully detained by representatives of the Russian Federal Security Service on charges of extortion in Kaliningrad. The editorial office of the newspaper was searched. Some reports allege that Rudnikov was seriously beaten by law enforcers during detention, and shortly hospitalized with a broken arm and cerebral trauma. The journalist and his newspaper are well-known for their investigative journalism that is critical of some local authorities.   

“There are reasons to believe that Igor Rudnikov’s detention is related to his journalistic work. I call upon the Russian authorities to release the journalist during the investigation, guarantee that his safety and fundamental freedoms are not violated, investigate allegations of violence against him and allow the newspaper to continue fulfilling its important work without undue interference,” Désir wrote in a letter to the authorities.

The Representative noted that the Russian Union of Journalists expressed serious concern about the case.

In March 2016, Rudnikov was attacked and received multiple stab wounds (see www.osce.org/fom/230601). 

Earlier in 1998 the journalist was brutally assaulted. According to reports, the perpetrators of the attack were never identified.

The Representative is currently in Malta to attend the funeral of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.

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.