OSCE media freedom representative calls for immediate release of detained Donetsk journalist Stanislav Aseev

VIENNA, 28 July 2017 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today expressed deep concern about the continued detention of journalist Stanislav Aseev in eastern Ukraine.

Aseev is a contributor to the Ukrainian Service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and a well-known blogger. He disappeared at the beginning of June 2017 in Donetsk. Reportedly detained by so-called “DPR” forces, his whereabouts were, until recently, unknown. During an OSCE conference in June, the heads of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU) and the Russian Union of Journalists (RUJ) issued a joint statement expressing concern for Aseev (//www.osce.org/fom/324546).

On 27 July, the RUJ received a letter from the so-called “DPR” stating that Stanislav Aseev is under arrest pending investigation.

“I call on all those responsible to immediately release Stanislav Aseev,” Désir said. “Journalists and other media actors must be free to express their views and carry out their work unhindered.”

Upon receiving the letter, the two journalist organizations recalled their joint statement on Aseev: http://ruj.ru/news/novosti/posle-zayavleniya-soyuza-zhurnalistov-rossii-rukovoditeli-dnr-soobshchili-o-mestonakhozhdenii-zhurna/ and http://nsju.org/index.php/article/6471

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.