(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Justice Minister Youri Tchaïka, RSF asked for an explanation of the detention of journalist Andreï Babitsky by federal forces in Chechnya. He was allegedly accused of “participating in an armed group” and placed in detention. “We ask for an immediate explanation for the accusation, as well the journalist’s release,” […]
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Justice Minister Youri Tchaïka, RSF asked for an explanation of the detention of journalist Andreï Babitsky by federal forces in Chechnya. He was allegedly accused of “participating in an armed group” and placed in detention. “We ask for an immediate explanation for the accusation, as well the journalist’s release,” declared Robert Ménard, secretary general of RSF. The organisation also asked the Russian authorities to respect the Geneva Convention, which guarantees the safety and security of journalists in conflict zones.
According to information obtained by RSF, Babitsky, a correspondent with the American radio station Radio Free Europe, has been reported missing since 15 January 2000, when he was arrested by federal forces near Grozny. He is facing a prison sentence of six months to five years. At the beginning of January, the journalist was searched and a number of work notes and documents concerning Chechnya were seized by the authorities. Babitsky is known for his critical reporting on the action of the federal forces in the republic.
The Russian authorities have demonstrated, on several occasions, their animosity toward representatives of foreign press since the start of the armed intervention in Chechnya. On 25 October 1999, another correspondent with Radio Free Europe, Oleg Koussov, had his dictaphone seized by a Russian officer at the border between Ingushetia and Chechnya. He was hit by another officer when he tried to protest the confiscation. On 29 December, six western journalists were arrested near Grozny by members of the Russian military who reproached them for lacking the accreditation necessary to enter combat zones. Marcus Warren of the British “Daily Telegraph”, Rodrigo Fernandez, correspondent with the Spanish daily “El Pais”, David Filipov of the North American daily “Boston Globe”, Daniel Williams, journalist with the “Washington Post”, Ricardo Ortega of the Spanish television channel Antena 3 and his cameraman Teimuraz Gabashvili were all taken to the Russian military base in Mozdok. The journalists were interrogated for several hours before being released.
