On the evening of 17 June 1995, Natalia Aliakina, a Russian journalist for the German weekly “Focus”, was killed by a Russian soldier. She had just crossed a Russian army barricade at the entry to the southern city of Boudennovsk. She was with her husband, Gisbert Mrozek, who has worked with “Focus” for two and […]
On the evening of 17 June 1995, Natalia Aliakina, a Russian
journalist for the German weekly “Focus”, was killed by a Russian
soldier. She had just crossed a Russian army barricade at the
entry to the southern city of Boudennovsk. She was with her
husband, Gisbert Mrozek, who has worked with “Focus” for two and
a half years. She had just finished a story on the hostage-
takings. The soldiers allowed them through after checking their
papers, and then opened fire on the vehicle as it drove away.
Natalia Aliakina was seriously wounded and died shortly
thereafter in the arms of her husband. The driver of the vehicle
was also wounded. The military prosecutor for the region of
Stavropol has opened an inquiry into the incident.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to Russian authorities:
territory controlled by the Russian army, with full knowledge
that Aliakina was there to carry out her work as a journalist
conducted into the attack, and that the results be promptly made
public
that its troops, stationed in both Chechnya and Russia, respect
freedom of information and guarantee the safety of journalists
Appeals To
His Excellency Boris Yeltsin
President
Moscow, Russia
Fax: +70 95 206 39 61/206 51 37/206 00 33
NOTE: Further addresses for appeals will follow on 20 or 21 June.
Please begin appealing to Russian President Yeltsin.
Please copy appeals to the originator if possible.
