Afghan correspondent for Radio Free Europe brutally attacked in Moscow

Russian version Farid Omar, correspondent for the Afghan service of the American Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE) in Moscow was left in a critical condition after being stabbed at the entrance to his apartment block on 2 July 2004. Reporters Without Borders, which is deeply concerned about this second attack against an RFE journalist in the Russian capital, called on interior minister Rashid Nurgaliev to ensure that a possible link with his profession was not ruled out of the investigation. His attackers did not take the money that he had on him. Omar had been reporting on clan rivalries in Afghanistan and within the diaspora as well as political events in Russia. The journalist highlighted the lack of democratic progress in Russia. He was critical of the Russian government's attitude towards civil society and the independent press. Close colleague Amin Matin said there were two likely scenarios. One that it had been a racist attack and the other that it was in reprisal for the journalist's critical stance towards the Russian authorities. On 30 April 2004, Mukhamed Berdiev, correspondent in Moscow for the Turkmen service of the same station was beaten up by thugs at his home. He was found three days later with injuries to his head, eyes and ribs. Russian version