Current:Home > ContactRussian investigative reporter Elena Milashina "savagely" beaten in Chechnya, rights groups say -TradeWise
Russian investigative reporter Elena Milashina "savagely" beaten in Chechnya, rights groups say
Charles Langston View
Date:2025-04-09 16:39:29
Moscow — An award-winning Russian investigative journalist is in hospital after being badly beaten by armed assailants during a trip to Chechnya, the Memorial human rights group said on Tuesday.
"Elena Milashina's fingers have been broken and she is sometimes losing consciousness. She has bruises all over her body," the group said on social media.
The incident happened early on Tuesday as Milashina and Alexander Nemov, a lawyer, were travelling from the airport.
"They were savagely kicked, including in the face, received death threats and were threatened with a gun to the head. Their equipment was taken away and smashed," Memorial said.
The Committee Against Torture, a human rights group, published photos of Milashina in hospital with her head shaved and covered in a green-colored dye used on cuts and her hands bandaged.
The media rights group Reporters Without Borders said it was "horrified by the savage attack" on Milashina.
- Russian journalist sentenced to 25 years in prison for Ukraine war criticism
Milashina's paper Novaya Gazeta, Russia's top independent publication, confirmed the incident. It said she and Nemov were currently in hospital in the Chechen capital Grozny.
Novaya Gazeta said she was in Grozny to attend the sentencing of Zarema Musayeva, the mother of three exiles critical of Chechen strongman Ramzan Kadyrov.
Musayeva was detained by Chechen forces in January last year in Nizhny Novgorod — a city 1,120 miles north of Chechnya.
Novaya Gazeta in February last year said Milashina had to leave Russia temporarily after receiving death threats from the Chechen leadership. Chechnya is a Russian republic run led by Ramzan Kadyrov, a military officer and former warlord closely allied with the Kremlin. He recently sent forces to support Vladimir Putin's military as Russia's Wagner mercenary group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin staged a brief rebellion.
Milashina has covered rights abuses in Chechnya for Novaya Gazeta for years.
Novaya Gazeta, whose chief editor Dmitry Muratov won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2021, has since 2000 seen six journalists and contributors killed, including investigative reporter Anna Politkovskaya.
By focusing on rights abuses in Chechnya, Milashina has followed in the footsteps of Politkovskaya, a fierce critic of the Kremlin's policies in Chechnya who was shot dead in 2006.
Russian human rights commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova was quoted by Russian news agencies as saying the incident "should be carefully investigated and the perpetrators brought to justice."
Moskalkova said Milashina was being taken to another hospital in a nearby region.
"The security of the journalist will be fully guaranteed," Moskalkova said.
- In:
- War
- Chechnya
- Ukraine
- Russia
- Vladimir Putin
veryGood! (33342)
Related
- Toyota to invest $922 million to build a new paint facility at its Kentucky complex
- The Army is launching a sweeping overhaul of its recruiting to reverse enlistment shortfalls
- Jacky Oh's Death: Authorities Confirm They Won't Launch Criminal Investigation
- At least 10 killed as church roof collapses in Mexico, officials say
- Meta releases AI model to enhance Metaverse experience
- Banners purportedly from Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel say gang has sworn off sales of fentanyl
- 6 big purchases that can save energy and money at home (plus budget-friendly options)
- Ronaldo gets 1st Asian Champions League goal. Saudi team refuses to play in Iran over statue dispute
- What to know about Tuesday’s US House primaries to replace Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz
- Atlanta will pay $3.75M to family of Nebraska man who died after being handcuffed and held face down
Ranking
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
- Pennsylvania House proposes April 2 for presidential primary, 2 weeks later than Senate wants
- Why Pregnant Jessie James Decker Is Definitely Done Having Kids After Baby No. 4
- 95-year-old painter threatened with eviction from Cape Cod dune shack wins five-year reprieve
- Tree trimmer dead after getting caught in wood chipper at Florida town hall
- As realignment scrambles college sports, some football coaches are due raises. Big ones.
- Israel arrests Mexican former diplomat wanted for alleged sexual assault, Mexico’s president says
- 'So scared': Suspected shoplifter sets store clerk on fire in California
Recommendation
North Carolina justices rule for restaurants in COVID
Pope suggests blessings for same-sex unions may be possible
5 died of exposure to chemical in central Illinois crash, preliminary autopsies find
Tropical Storm Philippe pelts northeast Caribbean with heavy rains and forces schools to close
Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
South Carolina speaker creates committee to scrutinize how state chooses its judges
When is the next Powerball drawing? Jackpot soars over $1 billion, game's fourth-largest ever
Late night TV is back! How Fallon, Kimmel, Colbert handle a post-WGA strike world