Reply #99: The perils of being an independent-minded Russian journalist.

[HuckleB]

Freedom of speech is the history?

http://www.chechentimes.org/en/comments/?id=21077

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Having found out about the hostage taking crisis in Beslan, Politkovskaya and Babitsky decided to go to North Ossetia to see everything with their own eyes. To all appearance, the plan of Russia’s secret services for further development of the situation does not presuppose presence of independent sources of information. As a result – a special sniff-dog in a Moscow airport “reacted” to an explosive substance when Andrei Babitsky was examined. Of course, he had no dynamite on him. this way or another, “an investigation” took some time and the plane bound for the North Caucasus took off. To suppress his desire to take the next plane, a fight was “organized” for Babitsky – two young men “suddenly” attacked the journalist provoking a fight. Police was unusually quick to interfere and Babitsky was suggested a medical examination although the journalists said he was fine. Now all the participants of the incident will face a semi-Basman trial which is going to consider the case of hooliganism. But the major goal is achieved – Babitsky failed to go to the North Caucasus.

As for Anna Politkovskaya – the situation is more difficult. No fight was organized for her. She was not allowed to a special flight with doctor Roshal heading to Beslan to conduct negotiations with the hostage takers. Also she was not barred from taking another civil flight. However, a pilot who recognized the journalist and helped her to take the flight to Rostov-on-Don. Having reached Rostov Politkovskaya could not continue her trip. She was taken to an UCI in a grave condition. Unconscious, with signs of a severe poisoning (remember Yuri Schekochikhin!), recently she has been moved to Moscow. Doctors say her condition is grave but stable.

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