SUMMARY:
Another case of arguable injustice has occurred against a journalist, this time, in Russia.
According to Reporters Without Borders (RWB), a military court jury in Moscow found three men not guilty of organizing the murder of journalist Anna Politkovskaya.
Another case of arguable injustice has occurred against a journalist, this time, in Russia.
According to Reporters Without Borders (RWB), a military court jury in Moscow found three men not guilty of organizing the murder of journalist Anna Politkovskaya.
The jury stated that the trial, which started in November 2008, reached the verdict based on the fact that prosecution failed to prove the involvement of any of the suspects.
Two brothers — Dzhabrail and Ibragim Makhmudov — former police officer — Sergei Khadzhikurbanov — could have been sentenced to life in prison if convicted.
The prosecutors office is expected to make an appeal.
Since March 2000, there have been 20 journalists killed in Russia.
(I write for the Daily 49er sports section and I evoke self-censorship on the LBSU campus because I don't want to be on poor terms with any of the athletes or athletic directors.)
Two brothers — Dzhabrail and Ibragim Makhmudov — former police officer — Sergei Khadzhikurbanov — could have been sentenced to life in prison if convicted.
The prosecutors office is expected to make an appeal.
RWB believes that the result of the trial is due to an "incomplete investigation" and that the trial investigation was brought about too early.
It proceeded to state that the trial had many "irregularities, inconsistencies and lack of transparency."
Also, the organization believes the public was not well-informed with both sides of the issue and that everything will remain in question until the triggerman and the masterminds behind the murder are identified.
Before jury panel reached a verdict, judge Evgeni Zubov reminded those on the panel of the important position they are in.
Zubov proceeded to advocate that the jury members address a list of 17 questions concerning everything from the authority abuse that Khadzhikurbanov had been charged for to different questions pertaining to the actual murder.
Politkovskaya's family, though, said it was "satisfied with the verdict" but "dissatisfied with the trial."
But the prosecutors maintained their view that the witness statements and telephone records set up the defendants guilt.
But the prosecutors maintained their view that the witness statements and telephone records set up the defendants guilt.
Politkovskaya, who was an outspoken critic of then President Vladimir Putin and worked for the independent biweekly Novaya Gazeta, was found dead in October 2006.
She was best known for her coverage of the Russian Caucuses.
The journalist was killed in the lift of her apartment building and was a critic of then Russian President Vladimir Putin.
She was 48 at the time and had two children.
The trial was held in military courts because one of the defendants was a member of Russian security forces.
Since March 2000, there have been 20 journalists killed in Russia.
This is a complete travesty. Although I do not know exactly what the arguments were for both sides, my feeling is that the three men murdered Politkovskaya.
Just this past week alone there were a couple of journalist deaths—including the one in Pakistan as a reporter was murdered for covering a peace march in Swat Valley.
To me, this is scary. Honestly, I am already terrified of talking negatively about people because they will not be open and willing to provide stories.
(I write for the Daily 49er sports section and I evoke self-censorship on the LBSU campus because I don't want to be on poor terms with any of the athletes or athletic directors.)
But to think if I ever went overseas and wrote a critical piece about a popular figure, my life could be in danger.
It really is mind-blowing; I hope all who ready this blog think so too.
Sources:
I completely agree that the barriers deflecting journalists from seeking the truth is in a shameful state. Not only do journalists like Politkovskaya take life threatening risks to provide the public with critical information, but their cases are rarely brought to justice when other individuals commit clear acts of violence against them.
ReplyDeleteAs a journalist, you really do feel the pressure to bring accurate information to the masses, and with so much responsibility, a great deal of pressure is placed on you to please everyone. But that is not what journalism is about, so we have to remember that our obligations remain with common citizens, not private or political interests. I think that is the message that the deaths of journalists like Politkovskaya remind us of time and again.