23 April 2009, 18:00
Lady-journalist beaten in Sochi did not receive threats before interviewing Nemtsov
Sochi journalist Anastasia Akopyan beaten with threats after she had interviewed Boris Nemtsov, a candidate for Sochi Mayor, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that she had not received any threats before the incident.
According to Ms Akopyan, she cannot precisely describe the attackers, since it was already dark. "Approximately, they looked as usual, not athletic body-build. I could judge their age by voices only: about 30. They caught up with me and started asking very politely whether I was the girl, whom they saw in Nemtsov's video clip. I said: 'Yes, and what's the matter?' They clarified something, saying that they watched me on TV, when I interviewed Nemtsov," Anastasia Akopyan recollected.
According to her story, as soon as the journalist asked them who they were and what they wanted, they started answering harshly. "In short, if you go on in the same way, if you continue your PR in favour of Nemtsov, it'll be still worse," the unidentified guys promised.
The verbal skirmish went up, and one of them smashed by jaw," said Anastasia Akopyan.
"I was silent; they decided that their aim was reached and said when already leaving: "You're a clever girl and you understand who will actually win the election..." Anastasia said to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.
According to the journalist, now Sochi is full of provokers who intimidate local residents; not being Nemtsov's supporters, they telephone people, threaten and demand that they vote for Nemtsov.
"They are Pakhomov's people; they provoke voters that they thought Nemtsov acting in this manner to assist his election. Naturally, this creates negative impression about Nemtsov," Anastasia has emphasized.
"Only on Tuesday I told Nemtsov about this incident. <…> We analyzed it and thought who could they be. We agreed that they were strangers who came from the Krasnodar Territory, from Kuban. Specially "planted Cossacks" who will make noise during the election," she concluded.
We remind you that early election of Sochi Mayor will take place on April 26.
Author: Dmitry Florin Source: CK correspondent
