Russian Activists Demand Government Investigate Journalist's Beating

Mikhail Beketov in an undated photo

Protesters in Moscow are demanding the direct involvement of the government into the investigation of the severe beating of journalist Mikhail Beketov, RFE/RL's Russian Service reports.

Dozens of supporters from the opposition Yabloko party, the Protect Khimki Forest movement, and some human rights activists took part in the action on November 16.

One year ago, unknown assailants severely beat Beketov in the town of Khimki, near Moscow, leaving him in a coma for several months. He is permanently handicapped because of the attack.

Supporters at the rally collected signatures for a petition demanding the government take over the investigation of Beketov's case.

The protesters said the investigation is being conducted too slowly.

The attack on Beketov took place after he wrote a number of articles challenging the Khimki authorities not to cut down a large swathe of a forest to build a new highway.