Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) voiced concern over the killings of the journalists in Maldives, Nigeria and Russia.
On April 26, 2017 PPF Secretary General Owais Aslam Ali wrote to Dmitry Medvedev, Prime Minister of Russia while expressing serious concerns over the death of Nikolai Andrushchenko, co-founder of the weekly newspaper Novy Peterburg on April 19, 2017 just over a month after he was attacked and brutally beaten by unknown aggressors.
Andrushchenko had known for his criticism on Russian President Vladimir Putin, investigative reports on corruption and human rights abuses, including by local police. On March 9, 2017 he was brutally beaten by unknown assailants, when he was on his way to a meeting.
On April 26, 2017 PPF Secretary General Ali wrote to Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, President of the Republic of Maldives, on the brutal killing of blogger and social media activist Yameen Rasheed in Male’ on April 23, 2017.
Rasheed was a prominent blogger and social media activist advocating for rule of law, human rights and social justice in the Maldives.
He was found with multiple stab wounds in the stairs of his apartment building at 3am on Sunday, April 23, and was taken to hospital where he died due to excessive bleeding.
On April 26, 2017 PPF Secretary General Ali in a letter to Muhammadu Buhari President of Nigeria, expressed serious concerns over killing of Famous Giobaro, a journalist working with Glory FM, Bayelsa State-owned radio station.
According to the International Press Centre (IPC), unknown gunmen shot and killed Giobaro on April 16, 2017 at his residence in Yenagoa, in the Bayelsa State in Nigeria.
Giobaro, who worked as a Desk Editor in the station, was reportedly shot several times in the stomach. The gunmen left without stealing anything. According to reports, the gunmen gained access into Giobaro’s house with the help of a ladder after cutting the barbwires.
PPF Secretary General urged the authorities of the respective countries to carry out thorough and independent investigations of each murder case and bring an end to violations of free expression, and ensure conditions where journalists can perform their professional duties without fear of intimidation or retaliation.
