22:00, 3 April 2009

CPJ: attempt to intimidate "Novaya Gazeta" should be investigated

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called Russian authorities to investigate the attempt to intimidate employees of the independent edition "Novaya Gazeta".

Earlier, it became known that on March 31 the office of "Novaya Gazeta" received a parcel with cut-off donkey's ears inside. The parcel had a note: "From the administration of the President of the Russian Federation".

"We're indignant by this attempt to intimidate our colleagues from 'Novaya Gazeta', and we call Russian authorities to hold an active and detailed investigation into the incident," said Nina Ognyanova, coordinator of CPJ programmes for Europe and Middle Asia.

"The authorities should put an end to threats and provocations against one of the most criticizing editions of Russia," runs the CPJ statement that arrived to the "Caucasian Knot".