19:46, 24 April 2020

EU demands from Russian authorities to react to Kadyrov's threats to journalist

Elena Milashina and Ramzan Kadyrov. Photo: screenshot of the video https://youtu.be/GL0PmG9ZdGY Collage by the "Caucasian Knot"

Russian authorities should investigate the threats addressed by the head of Chechnya to Elena Milashina, a journalist of the "Novaya Gazeta" newspaper and ensure her safety, the European Union (EU) has stated.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on April 21, nine Russian and international human rights organizations asked the PACE Special Rapporteur for Northern Caucasus to fix Ramzan Kadyrov's threats against Elena Milashina.

On April 12, the "Novaya Gazeta" published an article, in which Milashina criticized the measures taken by Chechen authorities to counter coronavirus. After that, Kadyrov demanded from Russian authorities to "stop these inhumane people" from the "Novaya Gazeta". Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary of the Russian President, said that the above Kadyrov's statement was "emotional" and contained "nothing unusual." The Kremlin is ready to forgive Kadyrov for any actions, while he is regarded the guarantor of stability in Chechnya, political analysts believe.

The EU calls on Russian authorities to "condemn and investigate Chechen authorities' threats against the journalist Elena Milashina," and ensure her safety, the European External Relations Service reports.

The EU also called for investigating the attack on Milashina and the lawyer, Marina Dubrovina, and bringing those responsible to justice.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on April 24, 2020 at 05:23 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.