Russian Journalist Accused Of Libel In Dam Disaster Attacked

Unknown assailants have attacked the editor in chief of the online "Novy Fokus" news resource, RFE/RL's Russian Service reports.

Mikhail Afanasyev told RFE/RL that the two attackers hit him several times on the head. He said the attack is connected with work.

Last month, Afanasyev was charged with defamation after he posted a blog entry about a deadly explosion at Russia's largest hydroelectric plant on August 17.

He had challenged the Russian government's response to the explosion at the Sayano-Shushenskaya power plant in southern Siberia, saying that up to 100 people may have been killed in the accident.

The charges against Afanasyev were later dropped without explanation.