Russian Journalist at risk after death threat

On 13 April, Chechnya’s Head Ramzan Kadyrov posted a video on Instagram in which he issued a death threat aimed at Russian journalist Elena Milashina.

The threat followed the publication of her article about the spread of COVID-19 in Chechnya.

She is in grave danger and Russian authorities must take urgent steps to ensure her safety.

Take Action

Complete Amnesty’s letter to President Putin via their website campaign:

https://www.amnesty.org.uk/urgent-actions/journalist-risk-after-receiving-death-threat

 

Further Details

On 12 April, Russian independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta published Elena Milashina’s article regarding the COVID-19 situation in Chechnya and the authorities’ response to it. The article, entitled “Death of corona virus is a lesser evil – When in Chechnya those who are infected are being equalled to terrorists, people have started to conceal their disease and die at home,” brought about an unprecedented response from the Head of Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov.
He commented extensively on the article on his Telegram account and more alarmingly issued a video on Instagram in which he accused Novaya Gazeta and its journalists of being “puppets of the West” and directly appealed to the Russian government and the Federal Security Service (FSB) “to stop those non-humans who are writing and provoking our people.”

He stated: “We’ve had enough! If you want us to commit a crime and become criminals, then tell us so! One of us will take the burden of this responsibility on himself and suffer the punishment (for it) prescribed by law. He will spend some time in jail but will (eventually) be free. Do not try to turn us into criminals, murderers…”.

https://www.amnesty.org.uk/urgent-actions/journalist-risk-after-receiving-death-threat