In a shocking incident in the Russian region of Chechnya, armed masked men targeted and severely injured a well-known journalist and a lawyer.
Yelena Milashina, a journalist for Novaya Gazeta, and Alexander Nemov were attacked while traveling to the Chechen capital, Grozny.
The assailants forced their car to stop, subjected them to physical assault, and threatened their lives.
The attack has sparked widespread condemnation and demands for a thorough investigation.
Milashina and Nemov were en route to attend a court hearing related to a case they believed involved the unjust persecution of a woman for political reasons.
The assailants carried out a classic kidnapping, overpowering their driver and forcibly entering the vehicle.
Milashina recounted the harrowing ordeal, describing how they were restrained, threatened, and held at gunpoint.
Their equipment was confiscated and destroyed while they were being beaten. The attackers warned them to stop their work and refrain from reporting anything.
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Following the attack, Milashina and Nemov were taken to a hospital in a neighboring region. Milashina’s injuries were particularly severe, with visible wounds and signs of physical trauma.
Her face was covered in green dye, reportedly thrown by the assailants.
She also had a shaven head, bandages on her arm, and reports indicated that several of her fingers had been broken.
Both victims are expected to be flown to Moscow for further medical treatment.
Rights groups, including the outlawed organization Memorial, have strongly condemned the attack.
They highlighted the brutality inflicted upon Milashina and Nemov, emphasizing the grave threats and violence they endured.
Memorial stated that during the assault, the victims were explicitly warned to cease their activities.
The incident has sparked outrage within Russia and abroad, with calls for justice and protection for journalists and human rights defenders.
The Kremlin confirmed that President Vladimir Putin had been informed about the attack, which it labeled as a “very serious” incident requiring a thorough investigation.
However, Chechen human rights official Mansur Soltayev referred to the attack as a “provocation” against the Chechen authorities, suggesting a potential difference in official narratives.
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