Journalist Attacked While Covering Pro-Ukrainian Pickets In St.Petersburg

By RFE/RL's Russian Service

August 25, 2014

Acorrespondent for Russia's Ekho Moskvy radio has been attacked while covering single-person pickets supporting Ukraine in St. Petersburg.

An attacker whose name was not made public was seen kicking Vesnin several times in the hands and face during the incident on August 23.

Vesnin was taken to a hospital after the attack, and was diagnosed with a concussion and a closed head injury.

Police detained the suspected attacker but released him on August 25 after he was charged with minor hooliganism.

Deputies in St. Petersburg's legislature have urged the city's governor, Georgy Poltavchenko, to take the case under his personal supervision and guarantee that the attacker is held responsible.