Police in the Moscow region had been investigating the attack on Beketov, editor and owner of Khimkinskaya Pravda in the Moscow suburb of Khimki who was found Nov. 13 bloodied and unconscious near his home after an attack his friends say is linked to criticism of local authorities' deforestation plans.
On Monday, it was decided to hand the case over to prosecutors, Marina Gridneva, a spokeswoman for the Prosecutor General's Office, told the Public Chamber on Tuesday.
"We are considering classifying the case as attempted murder," Gridneva said, adding that Prosecutor General Yury Chaika had been keeping personal watch over the case "from day one" and wants it solved as soon as possible.
Khimki Mayor Vladimir Strelchenko, a target of much of Beketov's criticism, told the Public Chamber meeting that he considered the attack on the editor "a tragedy." He suggested, however, that newspapers in the town were being financed by unknown individuals with murky intentions.
Beketov is currently hospitalized in grave but stable condition at the Sklifosovsky clinic in central Moscow.
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.