31
Dec 2017
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Alert created on: 31 Dec 2017
Russian Federation
Journalist Shot in Southern Russia
Source of threatUnknown
CategoryAttacks on physical safety and integrity of journalists
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On 21 December 2017, Vyacheslav Prudnikov, who contributes to the independent regional news website Kavkazsky Uzel from the town of Krasny Sulin in Russia's southern Rostov region, was shot with a weapon during a meeting with a local official, media reported.
Prudnikov told the local news website Don News that he had been meeting a municipal official, who the journalist referred to as Dmitry N. per the official's request, when a vehicle stopped nearby. A man got out of the vehicle and opened fire on him, yelling, "You criticize local authorities too much, we'll kill you," Prudnikov told Don News from a local hospital where he was receiving treatment. The journalist said the shooter and Dmitry N. "disappeared" when another car passed the scene.
Prudnikov told Don News he did not recognize the shooter.
Prudnikov has covered social and human rights issues in Krasny Sulin and nearby districts for Kavkazsky Uzel and other local outlets. His recent reports focused on miners' protests against alleged mismanagement by municipal authorities.
According to Don News, Prudnikov was wounded in the elbow when he covered his head during the shooting. Doctors found an additional bullet in his body, and performed surgery to remove it, the site reported without specifying where this bullet was located.
Prudnikov told the local news website Don News that he had been meeting a municipal official, who the journalist referred to as Dmitry N. per the official's request, when a vehicle stopped nearby. A man got out of the vehicle and opened fire on him, yelling, "You criticize local authorities too much, we'll kill you," Prudnikov told Don News from a local hospital where he was receiving treatment. The journalist said the shooter and Dmitry N. "disappeared" when another car passed the scene.
Prudnikov told Don News he did not recognize the shooter.
Prudnikov has covered social and human rights issues in Krasny Sulin and nearby districts for Kavkazsky Uzel and other local outlets. His recent reports focused on miners' protests against alleged mismanagement by municipal authorities.
According to Don News, Prudnikov was wounded in the elbow when he covered his head during the shooting. Doctors found an additional bullet in his body, and performed surgery to remove it, the site reported without specifying where this bullet was located.
Additional Information
Follow-ups
31 Dec 2017
OSCE Media Freedom Representative condemns attack on journalist in Russia, calls for speedy and effective investigation.