Russia – France condemns the attack on journalist Ms Yelena Milashina and her lawyer (4 July 2023)

France utterly condemns the violent attack on journalist Ms Yelena Milashina and her lawyer, Mr Aleksandr Nemov, while they were in the Chechen Republic for the trial of Ms Zarema Musayeva, the wife of an opponent of Chechen leader Mr Ramzan Kadyrov.

Ms Milashina, a journalist with Novaya Gazeta, received the Franco-German Prize for Human Rights and the Rule of Law in 2017.

She has always continued her essential work documenting attacks on fundamental freedoms in Chechnya, despite being subject to regular threats.

France recalls its commitment to press freedom and respect for human rights and the rule of law throughout the world.