A Georgian television producer is seeking political asylum in Russia, complaining of harassment for his contacts with the Georgian opposition, RIA-Novosti reported Friday.
The producer, Badri Afanasyev, asked for asylum when he arrived at a Dagestani border checkpoint from Azerbaijan on Oct. 15, the report said, citing the Dagestani branch of the Federal Security Service.
Afanasyev, 53, worked at Imedi television and said he came under pressure back when tycoon Badri Patarkatsishvili, the Imedi owner who died in February 2008, was alive.
But Imedi denied that Afanasyev had faced pressure. “Afanasyev worked as a producer for one of the serials on Imedi, but he resigned about two years ago,” the channel told RIA-Novosti.
Russian authorities said the asylum request was being considered.
n A military court in Rostov-on-Don jailed a soldier for nine years on Friday for passing secrets to Georgia between February and November 2008, Reuters reported. Prosecutors said Sergeant Jemal Nakaidze had been lured by Georgian secret services to pass on military information for money and the promise of an apartment in Batumi. The judge said he showed leniency because Nakaidze had admitted his guilt.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.