Two Russian journalists have addressed the Human Rights meeting of the U.S. Congress with a call to denounce the persecution of journalists in Russia, especially those covering the Chechen conflict.
Yury Bagrov and Fatima Tlisova voiced their concerns about the growing number of Russian journalists murdered, attacked and threatened in retaliation for their work. Bagrov and Tlisova, both former reporters covering the North Caucasus, say they themselves had to flee Russia after repeated threats. The two journalists were reportedly granted asylum in the U.S. this spring. They told the Congressional meeting about widespread exemption from prosecution of suspects in journalist murders in Russia and the perils facing independent reporters. They also complained about the failure of Russian authorities to apprehend and punish those responsible.