A round-table conference "Specifics of the Journalistic Investigation of Crimes against Journalists" was held at Kaminny Hall of the Journalists' Club in Moscow on April 23-24, organized by the Glasnost Defense Foundation jointly with the Rule of Law Institute. The conference attracted a large group of lawyers from different regions across the Russian Federation, including the prominent lawyers Lyudmila Tikhomirova (the Ulman case); Karen Nersesyan (the Pasko case); and Stanislav Markelov (the Budanov case, Lapin case, etc.); the Moscow Helsinki Group head Lyudmila Alexeyeva; the GDF President Alexei Simonov; and Novaya Gazeta editor-in-chief Dmitry Muratov.

The participants discussed ways of securing the legal protection of journalists subjected to unlawful treatment or pressure within the framework of effective legislation. Major attention was given to the application of Article 144 of the RF Penal Code ("Interference with journalists' lawful professional activities") which has actually remained unused ever since it was adopted.

A separate part of the event was dedicated to the development of mechanisms of interaction between media professionals and lawyers. The GDF and the Rule of Law Institute concluded an agreement to jointly act in defense of the journalists' rights.

Source: GLASNOST DEFENSE FOUNDATION'S DIGEST No. 328 (May 7, 2007)
http://www.gdf.ru/digest/digest/digest328e.shtml