A journalist has been severely beaten in Russia's Black Sea city of Sochi, RFE/RL's Russian Service reports.
The former chief editor of the independent newspaper "Mestnaya" (The Local), Arkady Lander, was attacked on April 26 by several assailants and was hospitalized with a concussion and serious head injuries.
"Mestnaya" began publishing in Sochi in January, ahead of local elections held in March. It was free to readers and was funded by private contributions. It was often critical of Sochi city council officials. It stopped publishing after the elections.
Lander said the attack against him is connected with his professional activities.
Some of his neighbors witnessed the assault and gave descriptions of his attackers to police, who are investigating.
The former chief editor of the independent newspaper "Mestnaya" (The Local), Arkady Lander, was attacked on April 26 by several assailants and was hospitalized with a concussion and serious head injuries.
"Mestnaya" began publishing in Sochi in January, ahead of local elections held in March. It was free to readers and was funded by private contributions. It was often critical of Sochi city council officials. It stopped publishing after the elections.
Lander said the attack against him is connected with his professional activities.
Some of his neighbors witnessed the assault and gave descriptions of his attackers to police, who are investigating.