Newsletters / Investigation Into Truth Behind Murdered Journalists Begins

Investigation Into Truth Behind Murdered Journalists Begins

In late July three Russian journalists, Kiril Radchenko, Alexander Rastorguev and Orkhan Dzhemal were murdered in the Central African Republic while investigating Wagner, a private military group reported to be run by Evgeny Prigozhin, a close associate of Russian President Putin and the head of the infamous Troll Factory.

The three journalists were working in collaboration with the Investigation Management Centre (TsUR), a project set up by Mikhail Khodorkovsky in order to investigate and document crimes committed by members of the Putin regime.

The attack was reported by Kremlin media sources and the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a robbery, while Kremlin representatives tried to pin the blame for the deaths on the organisers of the investigative project.  However, western media are now pointing to other possible motives behind the murders, as multiple versions of events have surfaced in recent days.

Mikhail Khodorkovsky responded publicly to the tragedy, calling for a independent investigation into the suspicious circumstances surrounding the murders, and since his appeal many have come forward directly with information and offers of help and support.

“The best way to honour the memory of the dead is to prove that their death was not in vain; to make sure that the investigation is conducted right up until the end; to find out who killed them and why. I never give up and I do not intend to this time.”

 – Mikhail Khodorkovsky, founder of Open Russia

The murder of these three exceptional and brave journalists is another huge blow to the profession across the world, and is among a string of murders of investigative journalists this year.

As the journalists’ funerals take place in Moscow, we come together in solidarity to mourn the death of three brave men.  These events remind us how dangerous it is to be a journalist in today’s world, and how important it is to maintain support for the profession.  Our mission to support media and independent journalism will only grow stronger.