MASKED assailants attacked a prominent investigative journalist and a lawyer in Chechnya yesterday amid a violent pattern of rampant human rights abuses in the Russian republic.

In this handout photo released by Novaya Gazeta Europe via web site Novayagazeta.eu on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. Novaya Gazeta journalist Elena Milashina sitts after giving her a medical treatment in Grozny, Russia.

Who are Milashina and Nemov?

Elena Milashina is an investigative reporter for Novaya Gazeta, a Russian newspaper known for its fearless reporting on human rights abuses in Chechnya.Alexander Nemov is a lawyer who has represented several clients who have challenged Chechen authorities.

Why were they attacked?

Milashina and Nemov were attacked shortly after they arrived in Chechnya to attend the trial of Zarema Musayeva, the mother of two local activists who have been critical of Chechen authorities. Musayeva was on trial on charges of assaulting a police officer. The attack on Milashina and Nemov is believed to be a warning to them to stop exposing human rights abuses in Chechnya.

Ms Milashina sustained a brain injury and had several fingers broken, while Mr Nemov received a deep cut to his leg, according to Novaya Gazeta.

The attack is part of a pattern of violence against journalists and human rights activists in Chechnya.

The attack on Milashina and Nemov is just the latest in a long line of attacks on journalists and human rights activists in Chechnya. In recent years, there have been a number of high-profile cases, including:

In 2017, a group of armed men abducted and tortured several gay men in Chechnya. The men later released, but they forced to flee the country.

In 2018, a human rights lawyer named Nurdi Nukhaev found dead in his home. Nukhaev had investigating the torture of gay men in Chechnya, and his death ruled a suicide.

In 2020, a journalist named Khadizhat Abdullaeva abducted and beaten by a group of men. Abdullaeva had been reporting on the forced disappearances of people in Chechnya.

These are just a few examples of the many attacks that have carried out against journalists and human rights activists in Chechnya. These attacks are a clear attempt by the Chechen government. To silence dissent and intimidate those who speak out against the authorities.

The attack on Milashina and Nemov is a reminder of the dangers that journalists and human rights activists face in Chechnya.

The attack on Milashina and Nemov is a reminder of the dangers. That journalists and human rights activists face in Chechnya. The region ruled by Ramzan Kadyrov, a powerful strongman who has accused of human rights abuses. Kadyrov has a history of silencing dissent, and journalists and human rights activists. Who speak out against his regime often targeted.

The attack on Milashina and Nemov is a serious blow to freedom of speech in Chechnya. It is a reminder that journalists and human rights activists who work in the region do so at great risk.

The Russian government has a responsibility to protect journalists and human rights activists from violence.The attack on Milashina and Nemov is a call for the Russian government to take action. To ensure the safety of journalists and human rights activists in Chechnya.

The international community must also speak out against the violence against journalists and human rights defenders in Chechnya. The United Nations and the European Union should condemn the attack on Milashina and Nemov. And call on the Russian government to take steps to ensure their safety.

The attack on Milashina and Nemov is a serious setback for the fight for human rights in Chechnya. But it must not deter journalists and human rights defenders from continuing their work. The world needs to know about the abuses that are taking place in Chechnya. And journalists and human rights defenders are the ones who can tell those stories.