(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ media release: IFJ Protests Attack on Kyrgyz Journalist The International Federation of Journalists, the world’s largest journalists’ organisation, has protested to the President of Kyrgyzstan over the violent attack on Alexandra Chernykh, a journalist with the daily Moya Stolitsa. Two unidentified assailants attacked Chernykh on 17 January 2003. […]
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ media release:
IFJ Protests Attack on Kyrgyz Journalist
The International Federation of Journalists, the world’s largest journalists’ organisation, has protested to the President of Kyrgyzstan over the violent attack on Alexandra Chernykh, a journalist with the daily Moya Stolitsa.
Two unidentified assailants attacked Chernykh on 17 January 2003. The attack occurred in the capital, Bishkek, when Chernykh was walking home with her 11 year-old son and his friends. She was struck violently on the head by her assailants, and while her doctors believe that her injuries have caused brain damage that may lead to complications in the following months, her injuries are not believed to be life threatening. Her son, who was not injured in the attack, has required psychiatric counselling to deal with his shock and stress over the attack.
It is believed that the motivation for the attack was to intimidate Chernykh’s mother, Rina Prizhivoit, who works as the political editor for Moya Stolitsa. Prizhivoit is well known for her investigations into political corruption and believes that the attack was an attempt to silence her: “The authorities know that I am not afraid, I will not stop writing. This is why they assaulted my daughter and grandson. I really don’t know what to do, where to put my family so they wouldn’t suffer,” said Prizhivoit.
IFJ President Christopher Warren, appalled by the cowardly attack, said: “Attacks on journalists and the media are one of the worst forms of attack on press freedom and civil society. The attack on Alexandra Chernykh is a clear attempt to intimidate and censor the independent media in Kyrgyzstan. There is no more serious form of censorship than violence.”
The IFJ has also voiced its concern over the police investigations into the attack. Police investigated the scene of the crime on the evening of the assault, but are treating the incident as a robbery despite evidence that Chernykh was specifically targeted and not the victim of a random robbery. Rina Prizhivoit has told police that while one of the assailants was hitting Chernykh’s head, the other knelt down to look at her, as if to see whether they were assaulting the right person. Prizhivoit also pointed out that the attack took place near Chernykh’s home, in a populated area. “Why did the men assault her near her house, in a place where people were around? If they had done it a few blocks earlier, it would have been dark and empty,” she said.
The IFJ has urged the Kyrgyz President, Askar Akayev, to mount a full investigation into the attack and to ensure the safety of Alexandra Chernykh, Rina Prizhivoit and their families.
The IFJ represents more than 500,000 journalists in more than 100 countries.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the president:
– urging him to mount a full investigation into the attack on Chernykh and bring her attackers to justice
– asking that he ensure the safety of Chernykh, Prizhivoit and their families
– asking that he uphold the principle of press freedom and safety of all journalists in Kyrgyzstan
Appeals To
Askar Akayev
President
Kyrgyz Republic
Fax: +996 312 218 626Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
