28 March 2009, 02:00
The New York Times journalist detained in South Ossetia
On March 27, Christopher John Chivers, a correspondent of the American newspaper The New York Times, was detained in South Ossetia at an attempt to cross the border of this republic with Georgia, as reported by the press service of South Ossetia's KGB (State Security Committee).
According to the Committee, after explanatory conversation the journalist was sent back to the Georgian territory. In particular, the American journalist was instructed on the terms under which foreign media can work in the territory of South Ossetia. Prior to cross the border, journalists should coordinate their arrival to the republic and receive accreditation at the Ministry for Information and Press.
The ITAR-TASS reports that fact of journalist's detention was confirmed by the command of the Russian military contingent in South Ossetia.
Christopher Chivers is known for his materials on the events in "hot points". Thus, three years ago he published an article "School" about the tragedy in Beslan. The NEWSru.com writes that the famous Hollywood movie studio Universal Pictures has bought the copyright on using the article as a literature source for a film script.