**Updates IFEX alerts of 10, 9, 8, 7, 4, 2 and 1 February, 31 and 28 January 2000, 2 December, 28 and 18 October, 27 and 16 August 1999** (RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Acting President Vladimir Putin, RSF expressed its indignation with regard to the Russian authorities’ attitude in the matter of journalist […]
**Updates IFEX alerts of 10, 9, 8, 7, 4, 2 and 1 February, 31 and 28 January 2000, 2 December, 28 and 18 October, 27 and 16 August 1999**
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Acting President Vladimir Putin, RSF expressed its indignation with regard to the Russian authorities’ attitude in the matter of journalist Andrei Babitsky. Accusing the army of “a flagrant lack of respect for the Geneva Convention,” the organisation vigorously protested the use of journalists as bargaining chips in the Chechen conflict. RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard added that: “Not only does this action violate all international treaties but also your own legislation.” He added: “We hold you personally responsible for the fate of Andrei Babitsky, who was handed over to Chechen rebels by the army.” Recalling a number of cases in the country where the right to inform was violated, the organisation asked President Putin to personally guarantee Russia’s respect of its press freedom commitments as a member of international organisations, notably the Council of Europe.
Babitsky, a Russian correspondent with American radio station Radio Free Europe, was arrested on 18 January 2000 by federal forces outside Grozny. Accused of “participation in an armed band”, the journalist was detained close to Naursk (in Chechnya’s north) before being handed over to Chechen rebels in “exchange” for two Russian soldiers, according to military sources. According to Kremlin authorities, Babitsky allegedly agreed to this “exchange” and signed a release to that effect. For their part, Chechen leaders state that they have no information concerning the journalist and deny that there was any transaction with the army. On 8 February, Babitsky was heard from for the first time since his disappearance, in a video cassette featuring footage of him which was received by Radio Free Europe. Nonetheless, his family, friends and colleagues fear that the army and secret services are orchestrating a disinformation campaign aimed at masking their responsibility in the matter.
In early January, Babitsky’s residence in Moscow was searched and many work-related notes and documents concerning Chechnya were seized by authorities. The journalist is known for his critical reports on federal forces’ actions in the independence-seeking republic.
The Russian authorities have demonstrated their animosity towards members of the foreign press on several occasions since the beginning of the armed intervention in Chechnya. On 25 October, Oleg Kusov, also a Radio Free Europe correspondent, had his dictaphone confiscated by a Russian officer at the border between Ingushetia and Chechnya. The journalist was struck by another soldier after having protested the seizure. On 29 December, six western journalists were arrested by Russian soldiers close to Grozny. They were accused of lacking accreditation to access combat zones. Marcus Warren of the British daily “Daily Telegraph”, Rodrigo Fernandez, a correspondent with the Spanish daily “El Pais”, David Filipov of the American daily “Boston Globe”, Daniel Williams, a journalist with the daily “Washington Post”, Ricardo Ortega of the Spanish television station Antena 3 and his cameraman Teimuraz Gabashvili were taken to the Russian military base in Mozdok, North Ossetia, where they were questioned for several hours before being released.
The conflict in Chechnya has already resulted in the death of three Chechen journalists, victims of bombings by federal forces. During the last conflict, in 1994-1996, some ten press workers were killed in combat zones.
Reporters sans frontières also recalls that at least two journalists, Vladimir Yatsin and the French photographer Brice Fleutiaux, remain detained by armed bands in Chechnya. Since 1997, no fewer than twenty press workers have been kidnapped in the independence-seeking republic.
