Activists Demand Probe Into Russian Journalist's Savage Beating

Colleagues and supporters of Russian journalist Mikhail Beketov held a press conference in Moscow to demand an immediate and transparent investigation into his savage beating.

An open letter has been sent to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, urging him to get involved in the case in order to protect the constitutional rights of ordinary citizens, RFE/RL's Russian Service reports.

Beketov, editor in chief of the Russian weekly "Khimkinskaya pravda," was found unconscious near his home in Khimki, on the outskirts of Moscow, on November 13.

He suffered multiple fractures, and one of his legs had to be amputated.

Beketov had recently criticized Khimki region authorities for the destruction of an old-growth forest near the Russian capital. Local authorities are planning to construct a highway across the land.

Beketov, who has also investigated local corruption, has reportedly received threats in the past; unknown assailants set his car on fire earlier this year.