12:28 26.12.2013

Reporters Without Borders launches its own investigation into beating of journalist Chornovol

2 min read

The Reporters Without Borders international organization is conducting its own investigation into the brutal beating of journalist Tetiana Chornovol in Ukraine, the organization's executive director, Christian Mihr, has told Deutsche Welle.

He said that a journalistic investigation was still ongoing and therefore he could not yet say who could be involved in the attack and what was the reason for it, "but this case, of course, deserves the harshest condemnation."

Mihr urged the Ukrainian authorities to do everything in order to bring to justice "those responsible and involved in the attack," however, he said, it is already clear that this attack is a sign of "the general dangerous atmosphere of the activity of journalists in Ukraine."

He said that a big problem in Ukraine is that many cases of violence against journalists remain unpunished.

"We are most of all afraid that the attack on journalist Tetiana Chornovol will remain unpunished," Mihr said.

As reported, unknown men beat up Chornovol early on Wednesday. According to police, the journalist was traveling in her own car when she was cut off by a dark-colored car. Chornovol was dragged out of the car and savagely beaten.

Police launched criminal proceedings under Part 2, Article 296 of the Criminal Code (hooliganism). The Prosecutor General's Office reported that its leadership would personally oversee the probe into the beating of the journalist.

Three persons suspected of being involved in the attack on the activist have already been identified, and two of them have been detained. Investigative measures are being conducted with them.

Chornovol is a well-known journalist and social activist who published a series of investigative materials concerning senior officials in power.

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