PACE-rapporteur van mediavrijheid betreurt de dood van prominente oppositiejournalist in Rusland (en)

Note to editors - 145(2008)

PACE rapporteur on media freedom deplores the death of prominent Ingush opposition journalist in Russia

Strasbourg, 02.09.2008 – Andrew McIntosh (UK, SOC), rapporteur on media freedom and Chair of the Sub-Committee on the Media of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE), has strongly deplored the death of the prominent opposition journalist Magomed Yevloyev on 31 August 2008 in Nazran, the capital of the Republic of Ingushetia in the northern Caucasus of the Russian Federation.

“I call on the local and federal judiciary to fully investigate the circumstances of his death and inform the public adequately,” said Mr McIntosh. MrYevloyev was shot in the head while in police custody in a police car and reportedly left by the side of the road. He was an outspoken critic of the governments in Nazran and Moscow, and his funeral today led to mass protests.

“In its Resolution 1535 (2007) on threats to the lives and freedom of expression of journalists , the Assembly called on member states to properly investigate recent murders of journalists, including the murder of Anna Politkovskaya in Russia, and ensure the safety of journalists. The death of Magomed Yevloyev shows that things have not improved and this requires urgent action by member states to protect journalists and media freedom as necessary in a democratic society.”

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