Palestinian journalist Muath Hamed questioned in Spain by alleged Israeli intelligence agent
New York, April 15, 2021 – The Committee to Protect Journalists today expressed concern over an account by Palestinian journalist Muath Hamed that he was summoned by Spanish authorities under false pretenses and questioned about his journalistic activity by someone he believes to be an Israeli intelligence operative. In early February, officers with Spain’s Civil…
French journalist Nadiya Lazzouni receives letter with death threat, anti-Muslim slurs
Berlin, April 15, 2021 — French authorities should swiftly and thoroughly investigate a threatening letter received by journalist Nadiya Lazzouni and ensure her safety, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On April 8, Lazzouni, a Paris-based video producer and founder of the news and commentary outlet Speak Up Channel, received an anonymous handwritten letter…
CPJ welcomes release of Turkish journalist Ahmet Altan
Istanbul, April 14, 2021 — Turkey’s Supreme Court of Appeals today overturned the convictions of journalists Ahmet Altan and Nazlı Ilıcak, who were found guilty of “aiding a terrorist organization” and sentenced to 10 and a half years and eight years and nine months, respectively, in a 2019 retrial, according to reports and CPJ research. Both journalists had been freed…
Journalists detained, attacked while covering Kyrgyzstan referendum vote
Stockholm, April 13, 2021 — Kyrgyz authorities should investigate the harassment of journalists covering elections and ensure that members of the press can work freely and safely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On April 11, police officers detained at least four journalists covering voting in Kyrgyzstan’s local elections and a nationwide constitutional referendum,…
Car used by Georgian broadcaster Formula TV vandalized
New York, April 13, 2021 – Georgian authorities should swiftly and thoroughly investigate the vandalization of a car used by independent Georgian broadcaster Formula TV and ensure that journalists in the country can work safely and freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. In the early hours of April 9, unknown perpetrators smashed all…
Russian law enforcement raid apartment, interrogate journalist Roman Anin
New York, April 12, 2021 – Russian authorities should return equipment confiscated from journalist Roman Anin, drop their investigation into his work, and allow him to do his job freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On April 9, Federal Security Service (FSB) agents raided the Moscow apartment of Anin, chief editor and…
Veteran crime reporter Giorgos Karaivaz shot and killed in Greece
New York, April 9, 2021 — In response to today’s killing of journalist Giorgos Karaivaz near his home in Athens, Greece, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “We strongly condemn this fatal shooting of veteran crime reporter Giorgos Karaivaz, express our deep condolences to his family and colleagues, and call on Greek…
Russian RFE/RL journalist Daria Komarova faces 3 trials over protest coverage
Vilnius, Lithuania, April 8, 2021 — Russian authorities should drop all charges against journalist Daria Komarova and allow her and other members of the press to cover protests without fear of reprisal, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Yesterday, the Leninsky district court in Cheboksary, the capital of the central Russian republic of Chuvashia, held…
At least 3 journalists briefly detained while covering imprisonment of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny
New York, April 6, 2021 — In response to today’s detention of journalists near the penal colony where Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny is being held, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “Detaining journalists who try to cover Alexei Navalny’s imprisonment is a blunt effort to censor coverage of Putin’s leading critic,”…
Uzbek Interior Ministry statement threatens journalist Agnieszka Pikulicka with prosecution over LGBTQ reporting
Stockholm, April 6, 2021 – Uzbek authorities should ensure that journalist Agnieszka Pikulicka can work safely, and should refrain from making legal threats against her, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On March 28, Pikulicka, a freelance correspondent for Al-Jazeera and The Guardian based in Tashkent, the capital, visited LGBTQ activist Miraziz Bazarov, who…