December 20, 2004: Headlines: COS - Philippines: COS - Russia: Journalism: Freedom of Speech: Radio: Radio Free Europe: Philippines RPCV Thomas A. Dine: Bagrov Conviction in russia is an Effort To "Silence" Reporter

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Philippines: Peace Corps Philippines: The Peace Corps in the Philippines: December 20, 2004: Headlines: COS - Philippines: COS - Russia: Journalism: Freedom of Speech: Radio: Radio Free Europe: Philippines RPCV Thomas A. Dine: Bagrov Conviction in russia is an Effort To "Silence" Reporter

By Admin1 (admin) (pool-151-196-43-253.balt.east.verizon.net - 151.196.43.253) on Friday, December 24, 2004 - 4:53 pm: Edit Post

Philippines RPCV Thomas A. Dine says Bagrov Conviction in Russia is an Effort To "Silence" Reporter

Philippines RPCV Thomas A. Dine says Bagrov Conviction in Russia is an Effort To Silence Reporter

Philippines RPCV Thomas A. Dine says Bagrov Conviction in Russia is an Effort To "Silence" Reporter

Dine: Bagrov Conviction An Effort To "Silence" Reporter

(Washington, DC--December 20, 2004) RFE/RL Russian Service correspondent Yuri Bagrov was found guilty on December 17 by a court in Vladikavkaz, North Ossetia, of attempting to use a false document to obtain Russian citizenship and fined 15,000 rubles (about $540). As a result Bagrov -- who has covered the North Caucasus region for the past five years for The Associated Press and RFE/RL and is convinced that the legal proceedings against him were initiated because of his journalistic work -- must once again start the process of obtaining Russian citizenship. If Russian citizenship is denied, Bagrov, a former resident of Tbilisi, Georgia, may be deported.

Outraged by news of Bagrov's conviction, RFE/RL President Thomas A. Dine termed it "blatant harrassment by the Russian government" and "an official attempt to silence a reporter seeking to shed light on the dark events that continue to unfold in Chechnya and the North Caucasus. Such actions are especially egregious, as Russia's intervention in Chechnya grinds into its second decade."

RFE/RL Communications Director Donald N. Jensen added that "RFE/RL condemns the court's decision as a thinly veiled attempt to prevent Mr. Bagrov from doing his job, reporting accurately on events in Russia. The decision is consistent with other recent official efforts to curtail the freedom of the press in that country and interfere with RFE/RL's ability to carry out its mission."

Bagrov, who has lived in Vladikavkaz since 1992, denies the charge and continues to assert that he was granted Russian citizenship in 2003 by the North-West Municipal District Court of North Ossetia on the basis of his permanent residency as well as the Russian citizenship held by his mother and his wife.

On August 25, four days before the presidential election in Chechnya that Bagrov planned to cover, officers of the FSB's North Ossetian Republican Directorate, bearing a warrant authorizing them to search for guns illicit drugs and illegal documents, searched his home and auto without informing Bagrov of his right to have a lawyer present. According to Bagrov, the FSB agents took his passport, birth and marriage certificates, university diploma, Dictaphone, computer, notes, even his wife's personal diary. Although most of the documents were returned to Bagrov two weeks later, he has yet to get his passport back.

Without a passport, Bagrov is unable to travel anywhere to cover news for RFE/RL, such as the Chechen elections, or the Beslan school tragedy -- which unfolded only 10 miles from his home in Vladikavkaz. As one of his RFE/RL colleagues, Oleg Kusov, noted to the Russian newspaper "Kommersant" on October 8, the investigation has left Bagrov "disabled" as a journalist. Both Reporters Without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists have spoken out in support of Bagrov's desire to get his passport back and resume his journalistic work, as has the Moscow-based Center for Journalism in Extreme Situations.

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty is a private, international communications service to Eastern and Southeastern Europe, Russia, the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Southwest Asia, funded by the U.S. Congress through the Broadcasting Board of Governors.






When this story was posted in December 2004, this was on the front page of PCOL:

Changing of the Guard Date: December 15 2004 No: 330 Changing of the Guard
With Lloyd Pierson's departure, Marie Wheat has been named acting Chief of Staff and Chief of Operations responsible for the day-to-day management of the Peace Corps. Although Wheat is not an RPCV and has limited overseas experience, in her two years at the agency she has come to be respected as someone with good political skills who listens and delegates authority and we wish her the best in her new position.

December 18, 2004: This Week's Top Stories Date: December 18 2004 No: 334 December 18, 2004: This Week's Top Stories
RPCV remembers Deborah Gardner's murder in Tonga 17 Dec
Maoist insurgents in Nepal release Swiss aid worker 17 Dec
RPCV Alison Williams exhibits portraits of Malian people 16 Dec
Former Brazil Medical Director convicted of drug charges 16 Dec
RPCV Joseph Opala researched slave trade in RI 15 Dec
Vasquez sees resurgent interest in PC 14 Dec
Senator who wanted duel with RPCV joins Fox 14 Dec
NPCA planning National Day of Action for PC funding 13 Dec
RPCV "Harry" Chandler votes in Electoral College 13 Dec
Critic says Moyers delivered neo-Marxist propaganda 13 Dec
Micronesia RPCV Walter Cavanagh has 1,496 credit cards 13 Dec
PC "Survivor" Julie Berry headed for California 11 Dec
more top stories...

Our debt to Bill Moyers Our debt to Bill Moyers
Former Peace Corps Deputy Director Bill Moyers leaves PBS next week to begin writing his memoir of Lyndon Baines Johnson. Read what Moyers says about journalism under fire, the value of a free press, and the yearning for democracy. "We have got to nurture the spirit of independent journalism in this country," he warns, "or we'll not save capitalism from its own excesses, and we'll not save democracy from its own inertia."
RPCV safe after Terrorist Attack RPCV safe after Terrorist Attack
RPCV Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, the U.S. consul general in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia survived Monday's attack on the consulate without injury. Five consular employees and four others were killed. Abercrombie-Winstanley, the first woman to hold the position, has been an outspoken advocate of rights for Arab women and has met with Saudi reformers despite efforts by Saudi leaders to block the discussions.
Is Gaddi Leaving? Is Gaddi Leaving?
Rumors are swirling that Peace Corps Director Vasquez may be leaving the administration. We think Director Vasquez has been doing a good job and if he decides to stay to the end of the administration, he could possibly have the same sort of impact as a Loret Ruppe Miller. If Vasquez has decided to leave, then Bob Taft, Peter McPherson, Chris Shays, or Jody Olsen would be good candidates to run the agency. Latest: For the record, Peace Corps has no comment on the rumors.
The Birth of the Peace Corps The Birth of the Peace Corps
UMBC's Shriver Center and the Maryland Returned Volunteers hosted Scott Stossel, biographer of Sargent Shriver, who spoke on the Birth of the Peace Corps. This is the second annual Peace Corps History series - last year's speaker was Peace Corps Director Jack Vaughn.
Vote "Yes" on NPCA's bylaw changes Vote "Yes" on NPCA's bylaw changes
Take our new poll. NPCA members begin voting this week on bylaw changes to streamline NPCA's Board of Directors. NPCA Chair Ken Hill, the President's Forum and other RPCVs endorse the changes. Mail in your ballot or vote online (after Dec 1), then see on how RPCVs are voting.
Charges possible in 1976 PCV slaying Charges possible in 1976 PCV slaying
Congressman Norm Dicks has asked the U.S. attorney in Seattle to consider pursuing charges against Dennis Priven, the man accused of killing Peace Corps Volunteer Deborah Gardner on the South Pacific island of Tonga 28 years ago. Background on this story here and here.
Your vote makes a difference Your vote makes a difference
Make a difference on November 2 - Vote. Then take our RPCV exit poll. See how RPCV's are voting and take a look at the RPCV voter demographic. Finally leave a message on why you voted for John Kerry or for George Bush. Previous poll results here.

Read the stories and leave your comments.






Some postings on Peace Corps Online are provided to the individual members of this group without permission of the copyright owner for the non-profit purposes of criticism, comment, education, scholarship, and research under the "Fair Use" provisions of U.S. Government copyright laws and they may not be distributed further without permission of the copyright owner. Peace Corps Online does not vouch for the accuracy of the content of the postings, which is the sole responsibility of the copyright holder.

Story Source: Radio Free Europe

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Philippines; COS - Russia; Journalism; Freedom of Speech; Radio

PCOL15504
20

.


Add a Message


This is a public posting area. Enter your username and password if you have an account. Otherwise, enter your full name as your username and leave the password blank. Your e-mail address is optional.
Username:  
Password:
E-mail: