**Updates IFEX alerts of 10, 9, 8, 7, 4, 2 and 1 February, 31 and 28 January 2000** (RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to the acting president of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, RSF asked for the “immediate and unconditional” release of journalist Andrei Babitsky, who is being held in Makhatchkala, Dagestan. “The incarceration of […]
**Updates IFEX alerts of 10, 9, 8, 7, 4, 2 and 1 February, 31 and 28 January 2000**
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to the acting president of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, RSF asked for the “immediate and unconditional” release of journalist Andrei Babitsky, who is being held in Makhatchkala, Dagestan. “The incarceration of Andrei Babitsky is a flagrant violation of Russia’s press freedom commitments”, stated RSF. “The Russian authorities are guilty of numerous international humanitarian law violations in this matter. Andrei Babitsky must be immediately and unconditionally released”, concluded the organisation.
On 25 February 2000, journalist Babitsky, a correspondent with American radio station Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, was arrested in Makhatchkala for “possession of a false passport” and jailed. On 28 February, he started a hunger strike to protest his detention. Babitsky was first arrested on 16 January by Federal forces outside Grozny. He was held at a filtration camp in Tchernokozovo (in Chechnya’s north) where he was allegedly mistreated. On 3 February, he was “traded” for several Russian soldiers and handed over to unidentified Chechen soldiers. He had been unable to contact his family or editorial offices since then.
