Ukraine alarm

THE NUJ will once more send a delegation to the Embassy of the Ukraine on 16 September to continue to press for a full investigation into the disappearance of Gyorgy Gongadze on 16 September 2000. The headless body of the editor of the independent news website Ukrainska Pravda (www.pravda.com.ua) was later found in a ditch outside Kiev.

Meanwhile, in an uncanny echo of that case, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today called for the safe return of Vasily Klimentyev, editor in chief of Novy Stil (New style) newspaper, who has been missing since 11 August.

"We are deeply concerned about the safety of Klimentyev," said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary. "The Government must do all it can to identify his whereabouts and return him to his family and colleagues who must be fearing the worst."

According to security sources quoted in Ukrainian press, Klimentyev went missing on 11 August after he left his home with an unidentified man. Klimentyev's colleagues say he set out to photograph luxurious residences belonging to a high ranking official in the Regional tax inspectorate. Shortly afterwards, contact with the journalist was lost.