SAN FRANCISCO
Lee Heidhues 6.16.2024
“Russia’s Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, said it was treating (Russian reporter) Nikita Kozhin’s death as murder, as well as a case of obstruction of the legitimate professional activities of journalists.”
The hypocrisy of Vladimir Putin is stunning. Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich has been jailed in Moscow since March 2023. He was simply doing his job and now faces a sham trial for espionage.
Sadly, a Russian reporter was killed by a drone attack in Ukraine. Moscow is now describing Nikita Kozhin’s death as murder and “obstruction of the legitimate professional activities of journalists.”
If Mr. Kozhin’s death can be described as “obstruction of the legitimate professional activities of journalists” what is the false arrest, 15 months of imprisonment and upcoming sham trial of Evan Gershkovich?
Moscow Times 6.16.2024
A Russian journalist was killed in a drone attack in eastern Ukraine, his employer announced Sunday, coming just days after a cameraman from the pro-government NTV channel was killed near the front line.
Russia’s Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, said it was treating Kozhin’s death as murder, as well as a case of “obstruction of the legitimate professional activities of journalists.”
President Vladimir Putin claimed earlier this month that “at least 30” Russian journalists had been killed since he ordered the full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than two years ago.
The outlet said the attack happened around the Saint-Nicolas monastery near the town of Vugledar, which has been the scene of fierce fighting for the past three months.
Tsitsagi has done reporting for a number of Russian news publications, including Lenta.ru, Holod and Novaya Vkladka, the latter two of which operate in exile abroad.
On Thursday, an attack in eastern Ukraine killed a cameraman and injured a war correspondent working for the pro-government NTV television channel. Law enforcement authorities launched an investigation into the strike.
Top photo: Wall Street Journal Evan Gershkovich behind bars since March 2023
Lee's Perspective 