“I’m trying to wash myself”: Dimitrij Muratow in the train toilet after the attack Image: dpa
The Kremlin is increasingly brutal against independent journalists. The attackers spilled oil paint on Nobel Peace Prize winner Dimitri Muratov on the train. Censorship takes on totalitarian characteristics.
In Russia, the hunt for “national traitors” proclaimed by President Vladimir Putin in mid-March is increasing. “Novaya Gazeta” reported on Thursday night about an attack on its editor-in-chief, Dmitry Muratov – on the Telegram messaging service. Because at the end of March, the independent newspaper had to stop its print and online work after two warnings from media regulator Roskomnadzor to prevent the withdrawal of the license, effectively a ban.
So the Nobel Peace Prize winner was bathed in red oil paint on the night train from Moscow to Samara, his hometown. Photos taken by Muratov himself show him with bright red paint on his face, hands and torso, and the sleeping car compartment splattered with paint. “The eyes burn terribly,” Muratov reported. The whole car smells of oil paint, the train is already 30 minutes late. “I’m trying to wash myself.” The attacker shouted: “Muratov, this is for our boys”.