High-Profile Russian Journalist Brutally Beaten in Chechnya, Head Shaved Off and Painted, Lawyer Stabbed

Yelena Milashina, a renowned Russian journalist, who was in Chechnya to attend the court hearing of the member of a prominent Chechan activist in Grozny, was severely beaten up by an armed group. She and lawyer Alexander Nemov were blocked on the way to the court. The attackers left Milashina bruised, shaved off her head and painted green, and stabbed Nemov. 

Milashina, who uncovered the horrific crackdown on gay men in Chechnya, said her attackers knew what they were doing. She believes they were in a hurry and intended to frighten her, and gain access to her and Nemov’s devices. 

In a recorded interview with Novaya Gazeta, the journalist recounted the incident, saying that they were beaten up two times. She described the attack as very specific, with the attackers knowing their limits. Milashina said the attackers shaved off her head, broke her fingers and bruised her. The armed group also threatened to shoot them and destroyed their personal electronic devices. Despite being stabbed and having difficulty speaking and moving, Nevom plans on attending the court hearing. 

Milashina believes the attack was due to their professional activity – case of Zarema Musaeva, who is the mother of Chechen activists, the Yangulbaev brothers, who are vocal critics of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. Musaeva was charged with fraud and violence against a police officer, and sentenced to five years and six months in prison. 

Tatyana Moskalkova, Russia’s human rights commissioner, says Milashina and Nevom were attacked by unknown people. Crew Against Torture, head Sergey Babinets, said the attackers had mentioned Milanshina’s work and court reporting while beating the pair. He highlighted it as a direct attack for their work. Amnesty International has also condemned the attack and called on the Russian authorities to swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice. 

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for “energetic measures” to be taken in response. Ramzan Kadyrov took to Telegram to say that they will “sort it out”. He said competent services have been instructed to make every effort to identify the attackers.