Postponement of Pasko trial criticized by defense, CPJ
Vladivostok, June 4, 2001 — The postponement Monday of a new trial against Russian environmental journalist Grigory Pasko was denounced by his defense team and CPJ representatives in front of the Vladivostok courthouse and at a later press conference. Defense lawyer Anatoly Pishkin said the delay was an attempt by Pacific Ocean Fleet prosecutors “to…
CPJ Delegation In Vladivostok to Support Journalist Grigory Pasko
New York, June 1, 2001 — CPJ representatives who traveled to Russia to show support for embattled investigative reporter Grigory Pasko are in Vladivostok to meet with the journalist and his defense team over the weekend in preparation for his upcoming trial. Pasko faces charges of treason and revealing state secrets for leaking information to…
CPJ Condemns Bombing of Opposition Paper in Turkish enclave
New York, May 31, 2001 — The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) today condemned last week’s bomb attack against the printing facility of an opposition daily newspaper in northern Cyprus. On May 24, a bomb blast ripped through the printing office of the daily Avrupa, causing significant damage. Agence France-Presse, citing eyewitnesses, said unidentified assailants…
Radio journalist murdered
New York, May 31, 2001 — CPJ condemns the recent murder of radio commentator Candelario Cayona in Zamboanga City. At about six a.m. on May 30, three unidentified men ambushed Cayona as he left home on his motorcycle to host a morning program at radio station DXLL. He died on the spot from four gunshot…
Newsweek reporters detained by militant faction
New York, May 31, 2001 — CPJ is concerned about the recent detention of two journalists from Newsweek magazine by Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip. On the early afternoon of May 29, according to international news reports, Newsweek Jerusalem bureau chief Joshua Hammer and photographer Gary Knight were interviewing Palestinian militants in the town…
CPJ Delegation Arrives in Russia to Support Grigory Pasko Press Conference Scheduled for June 4 in Vladivostok As Second Trial of Journalist Begins
New York, May 29, 2001 — Two representatives of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) arrived in Moscow today on their way to Vladivostok to support Russian journalist Grigory Pasko, who is facing a second trial on charges of treason and revealing state secrets. CPJ board member Peter Arnett and Europe program consultant Emma Gray…
President ratifies press law that repeals “disrespect” statute; CPJ concerned over certain provisions
New York, May 25, 2001 — Chilean president Ricardo Lagos has signed a new law that repeals several provisions of the country’s infamous State Security Law, including one (Article 6b) that made it a crime against public order to insult high officials. First proposed eight years ago, the new “Law on Freedoms of Opinion and…
CPJ condemns smoke bomb attack on weekly paper
New York, May 25, 2001 — The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemns the recent smoke bomb attack on the Sinhala-language weekly newspaper Ravaya, and urges the government to issue a prompt and full report on the status of the police investigation that is now underway. “Attacks against journalists in Sri Lanka are occurring with…
Jailed editor transferred to solitary confinement
New York, May 24, 2001 — Jailed Iranian editor Mashallah Shamsolvaezin was transferred to solitary confinement on May 17, sources in Iran told CPJ. Shamsolvaezin has also been summoned by Tehran’s Press Court for questioning about his alleged ties with opposition figures, several of whom were recently arrested. Shamsolvaezin, the editor of several now-banned Iranian…
NEWSPAPER EXECUTIVE MURDERED
New York, May 24, 2001 — Santiago Oleaga Elejabarrieta, chief financial officer of the regional daily El Diario Vasco, was shot dead this morning in the Basque port city of San Sebastián. The murder was widely attributed to the militant Basque separatist organization ETA. Oleaga, 54, was shot seven times in the head, neck, and…