ALMATY -- A Kazakh opposition publisher is reported missing following an attack, and his colleagues say they fear he might have been abducted, RFE/RL's Russian Service reports.
Daniyar Moldashev is the director of a publishing house in Almaty that prints the opposition newspapers "Respublika" (The Republic) and "Golos respubliki" (The Voice of the Republic).
"Golos respubliki" journalists told RFE/RL today that on March 25 Moldashev was severely beaten and robbed by unknown individuals on his way home from the Almaty airport. He was returning from Moscow where he had met with "Respublika" editors.
The journalists said they believe Moldashev may have later been abducted.
Almaty police say it is too early to talk about an abduction as there is no evidence to prove Moldashev was kidnapped or that he is even missing.
"Respublika" had to move its headquarters to Moscow from Almaty several years ago after Kazakh authorities imposed restrictions on the newspaper.
"Golos respubliki" had to suspend operations due to pressure imposed by local authorities several times and some of its reporters have been attacked and beaten in the past.
"Golos respubliki" staff members said today they will hold a press conference in Almaty soon regarding Moldashev's disappearance.
Read more in Russian here
Daniyar Moldashev is the director of a publishing house in Almaty that prints the opposition newspapers "Respublika" (The Republic) and "Golos respubliki" (The Voice of the Republic).
"Golos respubliki" journalists told RFE/RL today that on March 25 Moldashev was severely beaten and robbed by unknown individuals on his way home from the Almaty airport. He was returning from Moscow where he had met with "Respublika" editors.
The journalists said they believe Moldashev may have later been abducted.
Almaty police say it is too early to talk about an abduction as there is no evidence to prove Moldashev was kidnapped or that he is even missing.
"Respublika" had to move its headquarters to Moscow from Almaty several years ago after Kazakh authorities imposed restrictions on the newspaper.
"Golos respubliki" had to suspend operations due to pressure imposed by local authorities several times and some of its reporters have been attacked and beaten in the past.
"Golos respubliki" staff members said today they will hold a press conference in Almaty soon regarding Moldashev's disappearance.
Read more in Russian here
