Mikhail Beketov

Mikhail Vasilyevich Beketov (Russian: Михаил Васильевич Бекетов; born 10 January 1958) is a Russian journalist who came to widespread attention when he was attacked in an assault thought to be connected with his coverage of the construction of the Moscow – Saint Petersburg motorway.^[1]

Career

Beketov graduated from Moscow State University and worked on the Baikal-Amur motorway. He later moved to Khimki and started publishing a newspaper - Khimkinskaya Pravda (Химкинская правда, i.e. Khimki Truth). In the paper he frequently criticised the local administration for corruption.^[2]

Motorway opposition

Beketov covered the construction of the motorway and its potential damage to the environment, particularly around the area of the Khimki Forest, near Moscow. He claims to have received warnings from local officials to desist his coverage, and his car was set on fire and his dog killed. Finally, on 13 November 2008 he was beaten up, suffering brain damage and losing his right leg and four fingers. The attack took place outside his home in Khimki. Beketov underwent eight operations and now uses a wheelchair.^[1]

Trial

Beketov accused the local mayor, Vladimir Strelchenko, of criminal activity in relation to the building of the motorway. In turn, Strelchenko has sued Beketov for libel and a trial is now underway (November 2010).^[1]

Intimidation of opposition activists

The media have linked Beketov's attack to a wider series of assaults on other journalists and activists connected to the building of the motorway. Among them are: Anatoliy Adamchuk from Zhukovskiye Vesti and Oleg Kashin from Kommersant.

Solidarity with Mikail Beketov

A concert at Mikhail Beketov's home on 27 November 2010.

In the autumn of 2010 a series of rallies was held in Moscow and elsewhere against persecution of civil activists and journalists in Russia.

On 27 November 2010 a group of concerned people visited Mikhail Beketov in his home. They presented him with 501 roses and held a concert. The money for the roses had been collected from sympathisers on the Internet, so that each person could buy one rose.^[3]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Russia tries injured editor as fears for media grow, BBC
2. ^ peoples.ru
3. ^ Цветы для Михаила Бекетова (фоторепортаж)

External links

• Profile (in Russian)
• Defence of the Khimki Forest A Facebook group about the Khimki forest and Mikhail Beketov.

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Name	Beketov, Mikhail
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Date of birth	10 January 1958
Place of birth
Date of death
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