The founder of one of Belarus’ leading human rights organisations has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison for alleged tax evasion.
Index calls on the UK Foreign Office to press for Bialiatski’s freedom
CATEGORY: Europe and Central Asia
Defamation decriminalised in Russia
The Russian State Duma has decriminalised defamation, having passed amendments to the Criminal Code. There are two major legislative threats to freedom of expression in Russia: libel and antiextremism legislation. Both are frequently abused to...
Azerbaijan: dangerous words
This weekend’s stabbing of Rafiq Tagi is a stark reminder of just how risky it can be to write about politics or religion in Azerbaijan. Emin Milli, who was jailed after criticising the government, describes the dangers of speaking out
UPDATE: Index on Censorship is sad to report that Rafiq Tagi died from his wounds in hospital on 23 November
Voice of Russia host fired after criticism of South Ossetia president
Russian journalist Maxim Shaligin, a presenter on pro-government radio station Voice of Russia has been fired for criticising the outgoing president of South Ossetia. Maxim Shalygin was sacked on 14 November, just ten minutes before his show was...
NTV censorship strikes again
A scandal is flaring in Russia as two segments for popular NTV programme "Unreal Politics" were shot and then blocked by NTV's management. The first one subjected the leader of a pro-government youth movement Nashi and the chairman of State...
Olympic ideal puts money before democracy
Leah Borromeo says the 2012 games in London could damage free expression in the United Kingdom
Azerbaijani journalist stabbed
Sanat newspaper editor Rafiq Tagi was stabbed on 19 November in Baku. He was said to be in a stable condition after several hours of surgery. In 2007, Tagi was charged with inciting national, racial and religious enmity after he published an...
Vladimir Osechkin: Fighting for free expression in Russia’s prisons
Vladimir Osechkin, 30, has become one of Russia's most successful freedom of expression advocates. The former businessman fell foul of Moscow's regional authorities in 2007, Osechkin claims he was asked to pay numerous bribes after he began...
Hungary: How not to regulate the press
Hungary’s media regulations have created an atmosphere of tension among journalists. Mike Harris reports from Budapest
Sergei Magnitsky death highlights Russian impunity
After speaking out against corruption, the young lawyer was left to die in jail. Two years on, says Jamison Firestone, no one has been brought to justice