Russia: Veteran journalist stabbed to death in his apartment

Veteran journalist Dmitry Tsilikin was found killed in his apartment in Saint Petersburg on 1 April. The IFJ/EFJ condemn the killing and ask Russian authorities for prompt investigation into the murder. According to media reports, Dmitry Tsilikin, 54, received multiple stab wounds. He is said to have died at least two days earlier. A laptop and a mobile phone are missing from the apartment. Tsilikin had returned from a business trip to Riga, Latvia’s capital, the week before his killing. The St. Petersburg branch of the Investigative Committee has opened up a murder case and said in a statement that Tsilikin "could have become the victim of a mundane conflict," although they said they were looking at various motives for the murder, Kommersantreported. “The killing of well-respected journalist Dmitry Tsilikin is another blow for press freedom and the journalistic community in Russia”, said IFJ President Jim Boumelha. “Our thoughts today are with his family. We demand immediate investigation into his murder”. Tsilikin was among those who worked at the first perestroika newspaper in St. Petersburg, Chas Pik. He also worked in television at RTR and Channel 5; on the radio at Ekho Peterburga, and published articles in Vedomosti, Kommersant, RosBalt, Vogue, Elle, Ekspert, Profile and DP. The Federations will submit an alert about Tsilikin’ killing to the Council of Europe’s platform for the protection of journalism and the safety of journalists.

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