FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
Marking the 10th Anniversary of the Murder of American Journalist Paul Klebnikov
Press Statement
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
July 9, 2014
Ten years ago today, an American journalist was shot and killed as he left his Moscow office. Paul Klebnikov did more than write about politics and business in Russia. He was a voice of conscience in the fight against corruption.
Paul’s senseless murder was a sickening punch in the gut. Ten years later, we remain deeply troubled that the mystery of who ordered the murder is still unsolved. We continue to call on Russia, as we have over the last decade, to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice.
It’s not lost on any of us that the unvarnished truth-telling and investigative journalism to which Klebnikov dedicated his life continues to be under attack in Russia. The space for independent voices in Russian media is rapidly shrinking.
Today of all days, we honor the memory of Paul Klebnikov and the other journalists in Russia who have lost their lives. We call on the Russian government to protect journalists from attacks and to respect fundamental freedoms of expression.
Paul’s senseless murder was a sickening punch in the gut. Ten years later, we remain deeply troubled that the mystery of who ordered the murder is still unsolved. We continue to call on Russia, as we have over the last decade, to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice.
It’s not lost on any of us that the unvarnished truth-telling and investigative journalism to which Klebnikov dedicated his life continues to be under attack in Russia. The space for independent voices in Russian media is rapidly shrinking.
Today of all days, we honor the memory of Paul Klebnikov and the other journalists in Russia who have lost their lives. We call on the Russian government to protect journalists from attacks and to respect fundamental freedoms of expression.
