Watchdog

An Almaty city court has extended a one-month suspension handed down against the "Alma-Ata Info" weekly for allegedly divulging state secrets, RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reported.

The newspaper's editor in chief and owner, Ramazan Esergepov, was detained by the Kazakh National Security Committee in January over specifics contained in an article from November.

Then on February 10, a special interdistrict economic court in Kazakhstan's second city ordered the weekly's suspension.

The latest decision extends that halt by another month.

"Alma-Ata Info" journalist Vladimir Voevod told RFE/RL that the newspaper's staff and supporters would continue their fight to reverse the suspension.

He added that the newspaper's editorial board is prepared to appeal to the Kyrgyz Supreme Court if necessary.

More than 100 protesters in the Russian city of Saratov have expressed their solidarity with a regional media baron who was severely beaten on March 5.

Vadim Rogozhin, the owner of the Vzglyad media holding company, was attacked by unknown assailants on his way home.

RFE/RL's Russian Service reports from Saratov that representatives of the regional branch of Russia's Union of Journalists, local NGOs, and human rights activists, as well ordinary citizens, gathered in the city center to show their support.

Some held signs saying, "Who Ordered It? Find Them," "Stop Terrorizing Journalists," and, "No To Censorship, Yes To Freedom Of Speech!"

Rogozhin is still in the hospital, where his condition is listed as serious but stable.

Rogozhin's colleagues believe the attack is likely connected to his professional activities.