Deputy editor in chief and anchor Tatyana Felgenhauer, who works for Ekho Moskvy radio station, was stabbed in the throat on 23 October 2017 at the radio station in Moscow.
This statement was originally published on ifj.org on 24 October 2017.
Deputy editor in chief and anchor Tatyana Felgenhauer, who works for Ekho Moskvy radio station, was stabbed in the throat on 23 October 2017 at the radio station in Moscow. The well-known journalist is not in critical condition and is said to be stable.
The International and European Federations of Journalists (IFJ and EFJ) have today joined their Russian affiliate, the Russian Union of Journalists (RUJ), in condemning and demanding an immediate investigation in the attack.
Reports said that the attacker used a gas which was sprayed in the face of the security guards before entering the Ekho Moskvy offices and bursting into a studio located in the 14th floor, where the journalist was working. “The man came here on purpose. He knew where he was going,” the journalist’s employer told reporters, adding that he was detained and handed over to police.
“Any attack, and in fact any attempt to kill a journalist, has always been, is and will remain an attack on freedom of speech, regardless of the political or other views of the journalist,” said the Secretary of RUJ and member of the IFJ Executive Committee, Timur Shafir.
“We are outraged by this attack against our colleague on duty and urge the Russian authorities to launch a prompt investigation into the incident,” added IFJ General Secretary, Anthony Bellanger.
“We also call on Russia to protect independent journalism and media professionals by adopting zero tolerance towards impunity of the attacks against them, which are also a direct attack on a crucial pillar of the Russian democratic system.”
Radio station Ekho Moskvy is one of the few independent media outlets in Russia which is confronted with threats on a regular basis, according to reports.
The IFJ has recorded two killed journalists in Russia since the start of 2017. Several attacks and threats were reported during the year, and there are at least 13 journalists currently in detention. Some journalists have fled the country to escape the climate of violence and harassment.
Both Federations, among other media organisations, have submitted the case to the Council of Europe’s platform to promote the protection of journalism and the safety of journalists.
