The Syndicate-100 Community of Independent Russian Media has appealed to the federal authorities due to threats from the Chechen leadership against journalists. Ramzan Kadyrov, the head of the republic, had called the representatives of Novaya Gazeta and TV Rain* terrorists, and Novaya Gazeta’s journalist Elena Milashina had left the country because of the threats. The 7x7 Online Newspaper publishes the statement’s full text.
Due to the threats that are being made by the Chechen leadership against our colleagues, the journalists of Novaya Gazeta and TV Rain*, we declare our solidarity.
This is not the first time threats have been made.
The federal structures’ inaction in this regard, while they demonstrate unfailing efficiency in other cases, seems to be indicative.
As well as no response from officials, who speak a lot about the need to strictly comply with the laws of the Russian Federation.
In this regard, we, journalists, would like to clarify whether the laws of the Russian Federation apply to the Head of Chechnya R. A. Kadyrov and his subordinates. If not, it would be appropriate to adopt corresponding amendments to the current legislation, which would significantly clarify working conditions in these cases for Russian media.
