The BBC has asked the Russian government for help in protecting its staff after three employees were attacked in Moscow. The workers, all Russian, were assaulted in separate incidents in the capital over the last few weeks.
One was attacked in the Moscow metro. His assailants were later arrested by the police. Another was robbed in the street and had his nose broken. A third – a correspondent with the BBC's Russian service – sustained a head injury and needed stitches. The corporation says it is extremely concerned at the assaults. It says there is no evidence to suggest that the attacks were motivated by the fact the victims worked for the BBC. But a BBC statement said they “are exploring that possibility.”