Mourners Bid Farewell To Journalist Beketov

Mikhail Beketov was displayed in an open casket during the farewell ceremony at the Central House of Journalists in Moscow on April 11.

A small crowd of mourners have gathered in the Central House of Journalists in Moscow to bid farewell to Russia's late journalist Mikhail Beketov.

The chairman of Russia's Union of Journalists, Vsevolod Bogdanov, called Beketov "an icon" at the April 11 ceremony, attended by several dozen people.

Russian Ombudsman Vladimir Luki expressed hope that Beketov's attackers will be found and punished.

Beketov suffered brain damage and lost a leg and several fingers after a savage beating in 2008.

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His attackers have never been identified.

Before the assault, Beketov had reported that he had discovered large-scale corruption surrounding the construction of the Moscow-St. Petersburg highway through the Khimki Forest.

He died at a hospital on April 8.

His lawyer said he choked to death on his food.

Beketov was to be buried in his native town of Khimki near Moscow on April 11.

Based on reporting by Interfax, ITAR-TASS, and RFE/RL's Russian Service