STATEMENT
Russia: ARTICLE 19 welcomes reopening of investigation into murder of journalist Akhmednabiyev
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ARTICLE 19
02 Oct 2014
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ARTICLE 19 welcomes the Russian authorities’ decision to reopen the investigation into the murder of Dagestani journalist Akhmednabi Akhmednabiyev. The investigation, launched after the journalist’s shooting in July 2013, was suspended in the summer of 2014. Local authorities failed to identify the perpetrators or instigators, effectively ensuring impunity for his killing.
Akhmednabiyev, a reporter for online news site Caucasian Knot and deputy editor of independent newspaper Novoye Delo, was shot and killed on 9 July 2013 as he left for work in Makhachkala, Dagestan. The journalist was getting into his car when a gunman shot him from a passing vehicle, killing him instantly. The gunman fled the scene.
In July 2014, with little progress having been made, the investigation was suspended. This sets a terrible precedent for future investigations into attacks on journalists in Russia.
Two weeks ago, at the September 2014 session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), ARTICLE 19 called upon the Russian federal authorities to reopen the investigation. It also called for Russia to support a UN resolution to end impunity for attacks against journalists.
The resolution was adopted by consensus by the UNHRC on 26 September 2014. States are now required to take a number of measures aimed at ending impunity for violence against journalists, including:
Ensuring impartial, speedy, thorough, independent and effective investigations, which seek to bring to justice the masterminds behind attacks
Ensuring victims and their families have access to appropriate remedies
Creating special investigative units and specialist prosecutors
Adopting specific protocols and methods of investigation and prosecution
Training key actors in investigative and prosecutorial processes
Establishing...
