Prosecutors in Russian regions to take personal charge of journalists' rights situation

Vladimir Ustinov, Russia's Prosecutor-General, has obliged prosecutors in the Federation's constituent members to take personal charge of the journalists' rights situation in the regions, RIA Novosti was told on Friday at the Prosecutor-General's Office information and public relations department.

Ustinov agreed with findings of prosecutor checks on the observance of journalists' rights when they engage in their professional activity.

The checks were carried out on his instructions following press reports about increasingly frequent instances of regional authorities persecuting journalists.

Over the recent period, the department said, prosecutors on several occasions have invoked their powers to repeal illegal acts issued by regional authorities which unwarrantedly restricted journalists' rights.

On all facts of attacks on journalists criminal cases have been opened and investigation is carried out.