Russia: Family Assaults Reporters Lilian Rubtsova and Alena Sadovskaya Over Domestic Violence Reporting
The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the violent confrontation in the North Caucasus, calling for immediate action against the attackers
Location: Russia, Nazran
Date: October 25, 2023
The Coalition For Women In Journalism vehemently condemns the violent attack on journalists Lilian Rubtsova and Alena Sadovskaya by members of the Yandiyev family. This is the second brutal assault on women journalists in the North Caucasus this year after attackers beat journalist Elena Milashina at gunpoint in Chechnya in July. We demand an end to impunity, those who assault journalists trying to report must be held accountable. The Coalition For Women In Journalism calls on Russian federal and local authorities to launch a swift and transparent investigation into those responsible for attacking Rubtsova and Sadovskaya.
On October 25, journalists Lilian Rubtsova and Alena Sadovskaya were assaulted while covering a story in Nazran, the capital of Ingushetia in the North Caucasus. The two journalists arrived at the home of the Yandiyev family, who were accused of domestic violence and threatening to kill a lawyer with the NGO Team Against Torture for helping the victim.
Rubtsova, associated with the outlet SOTA, and Sadovskaya, a correspondent for Caucasian Knot, were attacked while attempting to photograph the Yandiyev residence after receiving no answer at the door.
"One of the women grabbed my head, pulled my hair, and said she could do whatever she wanted," Rubtsova explained, detailing how they were physically restrained and had their belongings, including a phone and press card, forcefully taken.
Despite managing to call for help and attempting to leave, their vehicle was obstructed, further escalating the confrontation. A police presence, only arising from neighbors' calls, did not result in immediate action against the assailants, highlighting the Yandiyev family's sway over local authorities.
Instead, Rubtsova and Sadovskaya were taken to a nearby police station and were not released for several hours. None of the assailants were charged in connection with the assault.
"They [the Yandiyevs] are a very influential family in Ingushetia,” according to Rubtsova. “Police told us that we shouldn't have tried to report on their case." This statement highlights the challenges faced by journalists in the region, where powerful figures and families seemingly enjoy impunity, and law enforcement discourages media coverage of sensitive issues.
This assault echoes a previous attack on award-winning journalist Elena Milashina and lawyer Alexander Nemov who were brutally assaulted on July 4, 2023, in Chechnya. They were in the region to report on a trial when armed assailants attacked them. Milashina had her fingers broken, was beaten, had her head forcibly shaved, and was threatened at gunpoint by the attackers. Both victims were hospitalized with multiple injuries.
While the journalistic topics in these recent incidents differ, according to Rubtsova, there are commonalities in the methods used to pressure women journalists in the region. These include physical violence, threats, and the confiscation of journalistic equipment and credentials, to silence them and discourage independent reporting. This underscores the continued challenges faced by women journalists in the North Caucasus region.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism strongly condemns the attack on Lilian Rubtsova and Alena Sadovskaya. Russian federal and local authorities must conduct thorough investigations into this attack, hold the perpetrators accountable, and ensure the safety of journalists reporting on sensitive issues. Journalists, regardless of their gender, should be able to report on matters of public concern freely, without fear of retaliation, violence, or intimidation.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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