"NKO-TV": arrested journalist Alexander Batmanov needs urgent defence

Temur Kobaliya, the leader of the NGO "NKO-TV", has claimed the violation of the rights of Volgograd journalist Alexander Batmanov, who on June 24 jumped out of a window of the police station. Alexander Batmanov who had earlier criminal records was arrested on suspicion of an attempted theft of food, the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) for the Volgograd Region reports.

According to Temur Kobaliya, the leader of the Human Rights Council (HRC) for Volgograd, Alexander Batmanov was detained in June, jumped out of the police station window and broke his legs.

The journalist has suffered for his professional activities, Temur Kobaliya believes.

"Alexander Batmanov was interested in the principles for distribution of regional and federal grants in Volgograd. Besides, he also wondered if there was a conflict of interests during the construction of the Volgograd-Arena stadium," said Temur Kobaliya.

"According to Alexander Batmanov, he was called from the police station and told that he stole a sausage and bread'," added Temur Kobaliya.

As a result, Alexander Batmanov was detained on June 23.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.