Pavel Sheremets Killing Might Be Linked To High-Ranking Ukrainian Officials
Ukrainian media report that the killing of journalist Pavel Sheremet, who was killed in Kyiv in July 2016, may have been linked to a conflict between fugitive Yanukovych-era Revenue Minister Oleksandr Klymenko, and former Deputy Prosecutor General Anatoliy Matios. In a comment to RFE/RL Ukrainian Service, Matios called this version delusional. (Ukrainian Service)
INCIDENTS AND THREATS
Activists Report Installation Of A New Tower To Block Ukrainian FM Signal
The Crimean Human Rights Group (CHRG) reports that authorities in Russia-annexed Crimea have installed a jamming tower in the northern part of the peninsula to block FM transmissions from Ukrainian radio stations. According to CHRG, Russian radio programs are heard on frequencies allocated to Ukrainian broadcasters in seven of 19 monitored villages, while in 11 others, Russian and Ukrainian programs are heard on the same frequency. In mid-November 2019, RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service Crimea Realii radio began round-the-clock broadcasting from southern Ukraine to northern Crimea on both mediumwave and FM frequencies. (Ukrainian Service/Crimea Realii)
Belarusian Newspaper Faces Fine For Failing To Report Journalist Wounded In Protests
The editor-in-chief of the independent Belarusian newspaper Nasha Niva says it has been told it may be fined for failing to report to authorities injuries suffered by one of its correspondents, who was shot in the leg by police during anti-government protests last month. Officials "warned us that Nasha Niva should be fined because it didn't report the injury and didn't conduct its own investigation," Yagor Martsinovich wrote on Facebook on September 21.
More Than 90 French Media Outlets Issue Joint Appeal For Audences To Defend Press Freedom
In the wake of fresh threats to the editorial board of the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo following the most recent re-publication of cartoons first published in 2005 of the Muslim Prophet Muhammad, more than 90 French media outlets appealed to their audience to defend freedom of speech. "By defending the freedom of blasphemy, we are not defending blasphemy, but freedom," the appeal reads. (Russian Service)
Crimean Tatar Activist Gives His First Interview After The Release From Prison
In his first post-release interview after spending 2.5 years behind bars in Russia, Crimean Tatar activist and civil journalist Nariman Memedeminov praised the work of the RFE/RL Ukrainian Service regional project Crimea.Realities, saying that the media attention his case received helped him to get better treatment in prison. Memedeminov also said that he plans to stay in Crimea and continue to work as a civil journalist. (Ukrainian Service/Crimea Realii)
Rally Held In Makhachkala In Support Of Journalist Accused Of Financing Terrorism
Relatives and colleagues of Abdulmumin Hajiyev, a journalist with Daghestan’s Chernovik newspaper who is accused of accused of financing terrorism, held another series of one-person protests in the center of the Daghestani capital, Makhachkala. Protesters insist on the innocence of the journalist, as well as businessman Kemal Tambiev and charity fund director Abubakar Rizvanov, all three of whom were detained in June 2019 and accused of helping finance the Islamic State terrorist group. Russian and European journalists and human rights activists have repeatedly defended Hajiyev. (Russian Service/Kavkaz Realii)
Kazakh Journalist And Blogger Released From Detention, Moved To House Arrest
On September 20, a court in the Kazakh capital of Nur-Sultan changed the sentence of the Kazakh blogger and journalist Aigul Utepova from detention to house arrest, Utepova told RFE/RL’s Kazakh Service. Utepova was arrested last week on suspicion of involvement in the activities of a “banned organization,” her home was searched, and her mobile phone and computer were confiscated. Utepova is due to remain under house attest until November 17, while the investigation continues. (Kazakh Service)
Kyrgyz Media Community Asks Parties To Sign An Agreement To Support Freedom Of Speech
The Kyrgyz public association “Journalists” reports that an initiative group of journalists and bloggers from Kyrgyzstan called on political parties to sign an agreement to ensure freedom of speech, democracy and human rights in the country. According to the proposed agreement, laws adopted by the next parliament should promote the development of freedom of speech; restore norms that protect freedom of speech and journalists; ensure that independent media representatives and press freedom experts are involved in the development of media sector legislation and regulatory acts, and a number of other measures intended to ensure freedom of speech. (Kyrgyz Service)
Tajik Journalist Denied Release On Parole
Tajik journalist Daler Sharifov, in prison following a conviction for inciting ethnic, racial or religious hatred, has been denied parole. The information was confirmed by the Justice Ministry, but the reason for the denial was not specified. Sharifov was arrested in January 2020 on allegations of promoting the banned Muslim Brotherhood group, but journalists and human rights NGOs in Tajikistan claim he was punished for dissent and criticism of the current regime. The Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Amnesty International and other international organizations have called for Sharifov’s release. (Tajik Service)