- Sputnik International
Russia
The latest news and stories from Russia. Stay tuned for updates and breaking news on defense, politics, economy and more.

Presidential body calls for increased punishment for violence against journalists

© Press Service of the Russian Journalists Union / Go to the mediabankMikhail Fedotov
Mikhail Fedotov - Sputnik International
Subscribe
The Russian Presidential Council for Civil Society Institutions and Human Rights has prepared amendments to the nation's Criminal Code to strengthen the law on punishment for hindering journalists from carrying out their professional responsibilities, the chairman of the council said.

The Russian Presidential Council for Civil Society Institutions and Human Rights has prepared amendments to the nation's Criminal Code to strengthen the law on punishment for hindering journalists from carrying out their professional responsibilities, the chairman of the council said.

Russia's daily Kommersant political correspondent Oleg Kashin was severely beaten by unidentified assailants near his house in Moscow early on Saturday. He suffered jaw and leg fractures as well as injuries to his fingers.

As usual, investigators consider attacks on journalists not as attempts on their life, but just physical abuse and hooliganism that carries a much lesser punishment.

For example, when Mikhail Beketov, editor of a controversial newspaper, Khimkinskaya Pravda, was severely beaten by unidentified attackers in 2008, a criminal case was opened under an article for committing bodily injuries. Beketov has remained physically handicapped from the attack.

The amendments prepared by the presidential council concern legal defense for journalists and rights activists, Mikhail Fedotov said.

The changes also stipulate the tightening of responsibility for using violence against journalists. "Currently, the Criminal Code includes this article. It is essential, but works poorly," Fedotov said.

"At most a person is sentenced using this article once per year, meanwhile we know many cases of attacks on journalists," he added.

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia has been one of the most dangerous countries for reporters with scores of journalists being attacked and beaten every year.

MOSCOW, November 8 (RIA Novosti)

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала