Russian Authorities Target Journalists

G8 2006 Info and Press Group: Russian Authorities Target Press Coverage of Anti-G8 Protests
Russian Authorities Target Press Coverage of Anti-G8 Protests (1)

Police in Russia have targeted press coverage of the anti G8 protests. Yesterday they arrested accredited Associated Press journalists for covering a protest. They also attacked photographers, broke cameras and arrested six Ukrainian activists for holding a press conference.

Press Release from: G8 2006 Info and Press Group
CONTACT:
Berlin: Kimmie Kliff Tel: 00 49 162 3508948,
Email:  g8-int@riseup.net,
Web:  http://presse.gipfelsoli.org
Russia: (Russian and English): +8 916 992 25 50
Email:  spb8media@riseup.net

Despite weeks of human rights violations and mass arrests by the Russian authorities, protesters have managed to take to the streets in small groups and show resistance to the G8 summit this weekend in St Petersburg, Russia. They are meeting serious repression and need international solidarity. (2)

As the summit opened, demonstrations in the city were either outlawed, stopped by the police or broken up by force. More that 200 people had already been imprisoned before the summit, some accused of “terrorism”, to prevent them taking part in possible demonstrations. (3)

Yesterday around 50 people were arrested. More than 30 people were arrested at the blockade of a hotel on Nevskij Prospekt, used by participants in the G8 summit. Police attacked and arrested journalists before turning on the protesters. 12 activists were also arrested during an anti-war picket, and 6 Belorussian activists were arrested and physically abused by police for organising a press conference.

Those arrested include:
4 - from Britain
1 – from Netherlands
3 – from Germany
1 - from Poland
2 – from Ukraine
6 – from Belarus,
1 – from Moldova
12 – from Russia

They have given no access to legal or consular representation in police stations, and were tried last night in a closed court. Anna Williams, a British medic in St Petersburg said:


“The human rights situation here is dire. People are being badly beaten in jails and police have been denying detainees food and water.”

Adam Jones of the G8 2006 Info and Press Group in Berlin said,


"Everywhere that the G8 meet, whether its in Genoa, Evian, Gleneagles or Russia, it's always behind closed doors, in militarised zones. Those who take to the streets with the message that "another world is possible" are always faced with repression. They deserve our solidarity."

CONTACT:
Russia, (Russian and English): +8 916 992 25 50
Email:  spb8media@riseup.net
Berlin: (German and English)  g8-int@riseup.net,
 http://presse.gipfelsoli.org

NOTES FOR EDITORS:
(1) For updated information about protests against the G8 see:  http://int.ru.indymedia.org/index.php

(2) International Solidarity demonstrations have been called this week in:
London, UK
Friday 21st July 13:00, Russian Embassy
6/7 Kensington Palace Gardens, London, W 8 4QP, UK
 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/07/345226.html

Strausbourg, France
Monday 17th July, Press Conference, Russian Consulate
 http://int.ru.indymedia.org/mod/comments/display/43/index.php

Berlin, Germany
16th July Solidarity Demo. For photos of demo see:
 http://int.ru.indymedia.org/newswire/display/124/index.php

(3) For more information about repression against G8 summit activists see the many related links on int.ru.indymedia.org or a summary list (possibly incomplete) of reported arrests at:  https://g8-2006.plentyfact.net/DetentionUpdates