Europe & Central Asia

  

Russia: Babitsky released

Read an interview with Radio Free Europe official Paul A. Goble on the Babitsky case New York, February 29, 2000—War correspondent Andrei Babitsky was freed early today in Moscow, having been flown there from Dagestan without the knowledge of his wife or attorney. The Radio Free Europe correspondent had been missing since January 27, when…

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Babitsky’s “Crime” and Punishment

The Putin government’s shameful treatment of journalist Andrei Babitsky is part of a worrying authoritarian trend, argued Russian-media expert Robert Coalson

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Azerbaijan: Harassment of independent media turns violent

Your Excellency: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is greatly disturbed by your government’s sustained and often violent harassment of the opposition newspaper Yeni Musavat and the independent station Sara Radio/TV.

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Yugoslavia: Government official threatens the press

New York, Feb. 11, 2000 — Serbian deputy prime minister Vojislav Seselj, the leader of the ultranationalist Serbian Radical Party, accused journalists of being pro-Western “traitors,” and blamed them for the murder of defense minister Pavel Bulatovic, according to Agence France-Presse. Addressing independent reporters at a press conference in Belgrade on February 10, Seselj told…

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Russia: Despite video, Babitsky’s whereabouts still unknown

New York, Feb. 9, 2000— Speculation surrounding the disappearance of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) correspondent Andrei Babitsky continued Wednesday, despite a new videotape suggesting that the journalist is alive and anxious to return home. RFE/RL purchased the videotape on Tuesday night from an unidentified man in Moscow, and aired it on Russian television today.…

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Detained journalist becomes pawn in prisoner exchange

New York, February 3, 2000 — Radio Free Europe /Radio Liberty (REF/RL) reported today that Andrei Babitsky, the Russian journalist detained by Russian military authorities in Chechnya since January 15, has been exchanged for three Russian prisoners of war held by Chechen rebels. The announcement was made by Russian presidential spokesman Sergei Yastrzhembsky. This action…

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Russian troops hold journalist in Chechnya

Your Excellency: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is greatly alarmed by the recent arrest and detention of Andrei Babitsky, a 10-year veteran reporter for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in Russia. Babitsky had been covering the conflict in Chechnya from the capital city of Grozny until his disappearance on January 15. Despite initial claims denying any knowledge of his whereabouts, a spokesman for your government acknowledged on January 28 that Babitsky was being held in Chechnya by Russian authorities because he did not have proper accreditation to report from the war zone. At the same time, your government has yet to confirm or deny charges published by the Russian news agency Interfax that Babitsky was arrested for “participating in an armed group.”

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“Missing” journalist held by Russian troops in Chechnya

New York, February 2, 2000 —Andrei Babitsky, the Russian journalist who was reported missing while covering the Chechnya conflict, is being held by Russian military authorities in a Russian-controlled area of Chechnya. Babitsky, a veteran correspondant with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, has not been heard from since he called his wife Lyudmila Babitsky from Grozny…

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Authorities urged to step up search for journalist

New York, January 27, 2000 —The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), a nonpartisan organization dedicated to safeguarding press freedom around the world, is gravely concerned with the recent disappearance of Russian journalist and 10-year veteran Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty correspondent, Andrei Babitsky. Babitsky, 36, well known for his critical reporting on Moscow’s military campaign in…

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Uzbekistan: Jailed reporter’s health worsens

Your Excellency: On behalf of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), a nonpartisan organization of journalists dedicated to the defense of our colleagues around the world, I extend my greetings for the New Year.

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