22:32, 21 April 2020

Human rights defenders appeal to PACE about Ramzan Kadyrov's threats to journalist

Elena Milashina. Screenshot of the video published at the HRC "Memorial" YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-BkcWQP5L0

Nine Russian and international human rights organizations asked the Rapporteur on human rights in Northern Caucasus to register threats voiced by the leader of Chechnya against Elena Milashina, a journalist of the newspaper "Novaya Gazeta".

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on April 12, the "Novaya Gazeta" posted an article by Elena Milashina criticizing the measures taken by the Chechen authorities in connection with the fight against the coronavirus infection. After that, Ramzan Kadyrov demanded from the authorities to "stop the non-humans" from the "Novaya Gazeta".

The letter to Frank Schwab, PACE Special Rapporteur on human rights in Northern Caucasus, was signed, in particular, by the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial", the Norwegian Helsinki Committee, Amnesty International (AI), Human Rights Watch (HRW), and Freedom House.

Elena Milashina doubts that her request for state protection would be granted. According to her, "the leader of Chechnya is putting pressure on investigators."

The journalist fears for her life. "Ramzan Kadyrov's threats should be taken seriously. He is a specific, imperious person who has all the means to implement what he had voiced in my address," the journalist said.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on April 21, 2020 at 07:18 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article click here.

Author: Oleg Krasnov

Source: CK correspondent