Joint Statement

Dushanbe, 13 January 2012

The Union of Journalists of Tajikistan (UJT), the National Association of Independent Mass Media (NANSMIT) and the Media Alliance of Tajikistan (MAT) condemn the attack on the Tajik journalist Dodojon Atovulloev and require a thorough investigation of this case from the Russian Federal Law Enforcement Bodies.

According to media reports, on 12 January, between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. and unknown assailant attacked Atovulloev in the premises of the Italian restaurant “Viaggio” in Moscow. Atovulloev was stabbed twice with a knife; an ambulance delivered him to the Sklifosofsky hospital.

In recent years, Atovulloev positioned himself as a politician confronting with the Tajik authorities and using extensively the freedom of speech.

It is unclear whether the attempt upon the journalist is related to his professional activities; nevertheless, such brutal crimes must be punished with the utmost rigor of the law.

Akbarali Sattorov, Chairman, UJT
Nuriddin Karshiboev, Chairman, NANSMIT
Khurshed Niyozov, Secretary General, MAT

www.nansmit.tj