Russia
Man imprisoned for killing journalist released earlyPosted Mar 12 2010
An Ingushetia police officer, Ibragim Yevloyev, served only three months of a two-year sentence for killing journalist (no relation) Magomed Yevloyev in August 2008. The latter was a strong critic of the Russian government.
The defendant’s initial sentence was reduced from “reckless homicide resulting from improper performance of professional duties” to “reckless homicide,” according to the International Press Institute. On March 8, Ibragim Yevloyev was released from prison and put under two years of court supervision.
“It is absolutely vital for freedom of the media in Russia that this culture of impunity cease,” said International Press Institute Deputy Director Alison Bethel McKenzie during his visit to Russia in October 2009. “We urge the Russian government to do all it can to ensure that those who murder and assault journalists are brought to justice.”
The International Press Institute’s 2009 World Press Freedom Review reports that for journalists, Russia has been ranked the most dangerous country in Europe over the past decade. Since 2000, a total of 35 journalists have been killed, which makes Russia the fifth most dangerous country in the world for reporters.