JournalismPakistan.com | Published August 02, 2018
Join our WhatsApp channel
BRUSSELS - The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has strongly condemned the murder of three Russian journalists in the Central African Republic, in what local authorities said was an ambush by an unidentified group of armed men.
In response to the killings, which happened on 30 July, the IFJ also demanded that the Central African authorities carry out a thorough investigation to bring the material and intellectual perpetrators of this crime to justice.
Kirill Radchenko, Alexander Rastorguyev, and Orkhan Dzhemal, who worked for Russian online news organization Investigation Control Center (TsUR), were assaulted by an unidentified group of armed men in an area near the village of Sibuti at around 10:00 pm, local authorities confirmed. The three reporters were slain on the spot while their driver survived the attack.
Media reported that: "According to the driver's explanations when they were 23km from Sibut, armed men emerged from the bush and opened fire on the vehicle. The three journalists died instantly".
According to TsUR, the three journalists arrived in the country on Friday and were working on a documentary about the activities of the Wagner Group, a paramilitary mercenary company. According to Reuters’ sources, this group has ties with Kremlin and carried out clandestine combat missions on its behalf in eastern Ukraine and Syria. Russian authorities deny this accusation.
However, there is no evidence yet that the killings were motivated by this documentary project and the assailants have not been identified. Local law enforcement is cooperating now with the Russian embassy in the country to find out what happened. The IFJ will monitor closely the investigation to make sure that material and intellectual perpetrators of this crime are brought to justice and to put an end to journalist killings’ impunity.
IFJ President Philippe Leruth said: “The assassination of three Russian journalists in the Central African Republic is a tragedy, and the IFJ wants, first of all, to present its condolences to their relatives in Russia. The IFJ urges the Central African authorities to search, find and bring the journalists' murderers to court, as nine journalists' murders on ten remain unpunished in the world. This scandal must end.” - IFJ media release
April 11, 2025: Sindhi journalist AD Shar was brutally murdered in Khairpur, Sindh. His body was found dumped on Handiyari Link Road. PFUJ has declared a three-day mourning period and demanded justice.
April 10, 2025: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir government has filed a case against The Daily Jammu & Kashmir and its staff for alleged fake news, drawing condemnation from PFUJ and IFJ, who demand immediate withdrawal of the FIR and an end to media repression in Pakistan.
April 08, 2025: Journalist Arzoo Kazmi alleges that Pakistan's state agencies, including the FIA, have blocked her CNIC, passport, and bank account while threatening her. She calls it a direct attack on journalism.
April 07, 2025: The Islamabad High Court has directed IG Islamabad to produce journalist Ahmad Noorani’s missing brothers, as the Ministry of Defence denies custody. SIM activity was traced in Bahawalpur, and investigations into their suspected abduction continue.
April 07, 2025: Journalist and Raftar founder Farhan Mallick has been granted bail by a Karachi court in a case concerning anti-state content aired on his YouTube channel. He still faces separate charges related to an alleged illegal call center and data theft.
April 03, 2025: Veteran journalist Ghulam Abbas Shah has joined Discover Pakistan Television as the Head of Programming. With 25 years of experience in leading news organizations, he looks forward to contributing to quality storytelling and content.
April 02, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has strongly condemned the visit of a group of Pakistani journalists to Israel, calling it a violation of journalistic ethics and a betrayal of press freedom and human rights. PFUJ demands a transparent investigation into the matter.
March 30, 2025: Dawn criticizes Pakistan’s plan to use TV dramas against extremism, highlighting financial and digital challenges. Can media alone solve deep-rooted issues?
April 03, 2025 The International Press Institute (IPI) and International Media Support (IMS) invite nominations for the 2025 World Press Freedom Hero and Free Media Pioneer Awards. Recognizing courageous journalists and innovative media, the awards will be presented at IPI’s 75th-anniversary World Congress in Vienna. Submit your nominations by April 30, 2025.
April 01, 2025 Photojournalist Suresh Rajak was burned alive while covering a violent protest in Kathmandu. The IFJ and its affiliates condemn the attack and call for an urgent investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable.
April 01, 2025 Assam Police arrested digital journalist Dilwar Hussain Mozumder for covering a protest against alleged corruption at Assam Co-Operative Bank. Media organizations have condemned the arrest, calling it an attack on press freedom.
March 29, 2025 A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle Voice of America (VOA), ruling that the move likely violated legal procedures. The decision protects over 1,200 journalists and media staff.
March 28, 2025 Turkey deports BBC journalist Mark Lowen over 'public order' threat and fines opposition TV channels covering Istanbul Mayor's arrest. Critics condemn crackdown on press freedom amid rising political tensions.