H.E. Vladimir V. Putin
President
The Kremlin
Moscow
Russia
Fax: + 7095 206 5173
Vienna, 1 August 2002
Your Excellency,
The International Press Institute (IPI), the global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists, is profoundly concerned at the apparent lack of progress made in the cases of several journalists murdered since the start of 2002.
Natalya Skryl, a reporter for Nashe Vremia, was attacked near her home in Rostov-on-the Don on 8 March. She later died in hospital. After initially stating that the murder was connected to her profession, police have gathered new evidence based on eyewitness testimony. Accordingly, police now believe the motive to be robbery. However, there does not seem to be enough evidence, even with eyewitness testimony, to bring the case to court.
Sergei Kalinovsky, editor-in-chief of the daily newspaper Moskovsky Komsomolets-Smolensk and a reporter for the local SCS television station, was found dead beside a lake outside the city of Smolensk on 2 April. Kalinovsky reported on local politics and crime. Sources at Moskovsky Komsomolets believe the murder is connected to Kalinovsky’s profession. On the basis of information provided to IPI, there has been little progress in his case, and police are still considering all possible motives.
Valery Ivanov, editor of the newspaper Tolyatinskoye Obozreniye in the city of Togliatti, was shot dead outside his home on 29 April. On the basis of eyewitness reports, a man aged between 25 to 30 walked up to Ivanov’s car and shot the journalist eight times in the head. A high profile case, the Prosecutor General, Vladimir Ustinov, is now apparently involved in the investigation. According to sources, the Russian police are aggressively pursuing the case.
Alexander Plotnikov, co-owner of the regional newspaper Gostini dvor, was shot dead in Tumen, Siberia, on 20 May. It is unclear whether he was killed as a result of his profession or as a result of a commercial dispute. Irrespective of this, there appears to have been little progress made in the case.
According to IPI’s information, the police investigating the above cases have so far failed to arrest any suspects, even where there has been direct witness testimony. For this reason, IPI fears that the perpetrators of the murders are being allowed to escape with impunity. IPI calls on Your Excellency to do everything possible to ensure that adequate personnel and time are allotted to the murder investigations.
Journalists perform an essential role within a democratic society, namely that of conveying information to the public. When a journalist is murdered it is the responsibility of the government to ensure that a full and proper investigation is carried out and that the perpetrators are brought to justice. A failure to properly investigate will only reinforce the impression that journalists are “fair game”. A belief that encourages other individuals or groups to target the media.
The failure to apprehend the perpetrators also encourages self-censorship among journalists, a practice that will inevitably lead to the failure to expose corruption and other such crimes. Indeed, at a time when Russia is doing everything possible to convince others of its democratic credentials, it is essential that the authorities fully investigate these murders.
Therefore, IPI strongly urges Your Excellency to ensure that these cases are resolved swiftly. By doing so, you will be upholding democratic values in Russia as well as restoring the confidence of journalists. Furthermore, IPI respectfully requests a report on the status of the above-mentioned cases.
We thank you for your attention and look forward to your response.
Yours sincerely,
Johann P. Fritz
Director
Background Note: Russia was placed on the IPI Watch List on 23 June 2000. At its meeting, held in Ljubljana, Slovenia, on 9 May 2002, the Executive Board of IPI unanimously agreed to keep Russia on the IPI Watch List. Commenting on the Russian situation, IPI Director Johann P. Fritz said, “In conclusion, it is difficult to see any improvements. The violence against journalists continues unabated…”
