ORAL, Kazakhstan -- Colleagues say the life of a Kazakh journalist who received serious injuries in an assault is no longer in danger.
Lukpan Akhmedyarov, a correspondent for the "Uralskaya nedelya" weekly in western city of Oral, was stabbed and shot by a pneumatic weapon on April 19.
“Uralskaya nedelya" editor in chief Tamara Eslyamova told RFE/RL that Akhmedyarov has been moved from intensive care to a regular hospital room and is able to talk.
Akhmedyarov's colleagues say they believe the attack was connected to his professional activities.
International organizations and rights groups have condemned the attack and called on Kazakh authorities to investigate.
Since late 2009, Akhmedyarov has been the target of at least three defamation lawsuits from Kazakh authorities over his critical reporting of their activities.
Lukpan Akhmedyarov, a correspondent for the "Uralskaya nedelya" weekly in western city of Oral, was stabbed and shot by a pneumatic weapon on April 19.
“Uralskaya nedelya" editor in chief Tamara Eslyamova told RFE/RL that Akhmedyarov has been moved from intensive care to a regular hospital room and is able to talk.
Akhmedyarov's colleagues say they believe the attack was connected to his professional activities.
International organizations and rights groups have condemned the attack and called on Kazakh authorities to investigate.
Since late 2009, Akhmedyarov has been the target of at least three defamation lawsuits from Kazakh authorities over his critical reporting of their activities.
