Editor of a local newspaper in central Ukrainian city of Vinnytsia was taken to intensive care of a local hospital after an assault on the night of March 5.
Taras Chornoivan, the
founder and editor of Tarasova pravda, a tabloid-like like website
and newspaper, has suffered a concussion, broken rib, damage to lungs
and neck.
Chornoivan was attacked
near his home by the three unknown men. “Neither of the men said
anything to Taras, they just approached him and started beating. When
he fell to the ground, they started kicking him with their feet,”
said his Chornoivan’s business partner Yulia Kryvosheyeva.
The editor’s neighbors
heard his scream and called the police. The attackers did not take any of the editor’s belongings. The police launched an
investigation but nobody has yet been detained, says Anna Oliynyk, a
spokesperson for local police.
The print edition of
Chornoivan’s Tarasova Pravda was only started on March 4, just a day
before the attack, and featured former governor and parliament
member Aleksandr Dombrovskiy in a satirical collage that depicted him
sitting on the toilet. Chornoivan also publishes several female
magazines in Vinnytsia.
Chornoivan suspects that
the attack was triggered by this publication, Kryvosheyeva says, but
Dombrovskyi denied any involvement.
Svitlana Vyshnevska, his
spokesperson who spoke to local newspaper 20 minutes, says
Dombrovskyi never conflicted with media, even when they run
provocative and false stories about him. “These accusations are
provocative and are not backed by facts or common sense,” said
Vyshnevska.
International journalist
community has voiced concerns and demanded action from local law
enforcement.
“We are alarmed by
this vicious assault against Taras Chornoivan, and urge regional
authorities to bring those responsible to justice,” said
Muzaffar Suleymanov, Program Research Associate at the Committee to
Protect Journalists for Europe and Central Asia. “A thorough,
transparent, and effective investigation will demonstrate
authorities’ commitment to free expression and the rule of law.”
Vinnytsia local prosecutor
made a statement, saying they are keeping an eye on the investigation.
Kyiv Post staff writer
Svitlana Tuchynska can be reached at [email protected]
