(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has urged Interior Minister Mykola Bilokon to conduct a “thorough and open investigation” into an attack by three unidentified men on Petro Kobevko, editor-in-chief of the weekly “Chas”, in the western town of Chernivtsi. The organisation described the 28 May 2004 attack as “very alarming” in view of the presidential election due […]
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has urged Interior Minister Mykola Bilokon to conduct a “thorough and open investigation” into an attack by three unidentified men on Petro Kobevko, editor-in-chief of the weekly “Chas”, in the western town of Chernivtsi. The organisation described the 28 May 2004 attack as “very alarming” in view of the presidential election due to take place this fall.
Kobevko, who is still in hospital, was badly bruised on the head and face after an unidentified man came to his office, said he had compromising information about a member of parliament and asked Kobevko to follow him. As Kobevko left his office, the man struck him. Two other unidentified men were waiting outside Kobevko’s office.
The journalist said the attack was probably not linked to a particular article, but rather to the newspaper’s general editorial line. Since its launch, “Chas” has been prosecuted 48 times for articles it has published.
