18 July 2023, 23:55
Lawyers consider request for state protection of Elena Milashina as justified
State protection is provided in case of a real threat to personal security, and representatives of journalist Elena Milashina, who was attacked twice in Chechnya, have grounds for such a request, lawyers note. They point out that the provision of state protection, in particular, a bodyguard, could limit Elena Milashina’s actions.
The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that a lawyer of the “Team Against Torture” (TaT)* requested the authorities to provide journalist Elena Milashina with state protection for participation in investigative actions in Chechnya in connection with the threat to her life.
On July 4, Elena Milashina, a journalist of the newspaper “Novaya Gazeta” and advocate Alexander Nemov were attacked in Chechnya on their way to the trial in a case against Zarema Musaeva. Doctors diagnosed Elena Milashina with a traumatic brain injury, bruises, and up to 14 fractures.
Information about a real threat to a person can be the basis for provision of state protection, lawyer Galina Tarasova believes. According to her, the situation with Elena Milashina, who has already been repeatedly attacked, falls under the above-mentioned grounds.
Galina Tarasova adds that there are various security measures within the state protection. “This can be personal protection, protection of housing and property, the issuance of special protective equipment, or danger alerts,” the lawyer explains.
According to lawyer Marina Agaltsova, some of the Elena Milashina’s actions will be limited due to the receipt of state protection. “Her freedom of movement, of course, will be violated. Probably confidentiality too,” Marina Agaltsova notes.
On April 21, 2020, nine Russian and international human rights organizations requested the PACE Special Rapporteur on Northern Caucasus to record the threats voiced by Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov against Elena Milashina.
*The “Team against Torture” (formerly the “Committee against Torture” – CaT) was created by the lawyers who had earlier worked for the CaT, which was included into the register of the NCOs performing the functions of foreign agents.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on July 18, 2023 at 05:23 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
Author: Roman Kuzhev Source: СK correspondent
