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Heads of CIS news agencies protest against persecution of journalists in Ukraine

Denial of accreditation, intimidation, deportation under contrived pretexts and physical violence against journalists are blatant violations of international norms, the document says

MOSCOW, February 26. /TASS/. The council of heads of state-run news agencies of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) on Thursday came out with a statement where it expressed serious concern and indignation over open persecution of journalists, primarily Russian journalists, in Ukraine.

"Illegal actions by Ukrainian authorities against journalists — denial of accreditation, intimidation, deportation under contrived pretexts and physical violence on the part of radical forces — are blatant violations of international norms," says the document signed on behalf of the council by TASS director general Sergey Mikhailov.

The statement stresses that such actions are aimed not only against concrete journalists and mass media bodies but strip them off any possibility to carry out professional activities in Ukraine.

The council called on Ukraine’s authorities to ensure possibilities of safe professional activity for journalists in compliance with the country’s international liabilities. The council also called on colleagues in all countries, international journalist associations and public organizations to stand up in support of the freedom of the press in Ukraine.