Afghan correspondent for Radio Free Europe
brutally attacked in Moscow
Farid Omar,
correspondent for the Afghan service of the American
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE) in Moscow
was left in a critical condition after being stabbed
at the entrance to his apartment block on 2 July 2004.
Reporters Without Borders, which is deeply concerned
about this second attack against an RFE
journalist in the Russian capital, called on interior
minister Rashid Nurgaliev to ensure that a possible
link with his profession was not ruled out of the
investigation. His attackers did not take the money
that he had on him.
Omar had been reporting on clan rivalries in
Afghanistan and within the diaspora as well as
political events in Russia. The journalist highlighted
the lack of democratic progress in Russia. He was
critical of the Russian government¹s attitude towards
civil society and the independent press.
Close colleague Amin Matin said there were two
likely scenarios. One that it had been a racist attack
and the other that it was in reprisal for the
journalist¹s critical stance towards the Russian
authorities.
On 30 April
2004, Mukhamed Berdiev, correspondent in Moscow
for the Turkmen service of the same station was beaten
up by thugs at his home. He was found three days later
with injuries to his head, eyes and ribs.
