23:17, 31 March 2007

Opposition newspaper journalist beaten in Kalmykia

On March 30, at 7 p.m., in the city of Elista (Kalmykia), at office of the Kalmyk Republic's Branch of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF), unknown persons attacked Vitaly Shulenin, editor of the "Leninskiy Puts" (Lenin's Way) opposition newspaper of the Kalmyk Republic's Branch (KRB) of the CPRF.

In the attack, Mr. Shulenin got a leg fracture and multiple grazes and bruises of his head and body, however, his personal belongings, documents and cash money were of no interest to the culprits. Currently, V. Shulenin's health condition is causing doctors' concern, since he needs an urgent surgery.

The Republic's CPRF Committee, Vitaly Shulenin's colleagues-journalists and friends think that the attack and slaughter are linked with his professional work: two days prior to the assault, the said newspaper had published V. Shulenin's critical article concerning the leaders of one of the Districts of the Republic of Kalmykia.

Author: Svetlana Glebova, CK correspondent