Russia: Canadian newspaper reporter expelled from Chechnya

    MONTREAL, April 24 /CNW Telbec/ - Jane Armstrong, a Canadian journalist
employed by the Toronto-based Globe and Mail newspaper, was arrested together
with her interpreter at her hotel in the Chechen capital of Grozny on 17 April
and, after being held for around 10 hours, was ordered to leave Chechnya
immediately on the grounds that she did not have proper accreditation.
    Armstrong had accreditation to work in Chechnya, including in areas where
counter-terrorist operations are carried out, but the police demanded an
additional document she did not have, and therefore claimed that her
accreditation was false. The police returned all the documents they initially
seized except her accreditation. As well as being expelled, she was ordered to
pay a fine of 300,000 rubles (8,110 euros),
    Armstrong had gone to Chechnya at the Globe and Mail's request to do a
story on the Chechen people's history, culture and traditions.

For further information: Katherine Borlongan, secretary general,
Reporters Without Borders, (514) 521-4111, Cell: (514) 258-4208, Fax: (514)
521-7771, rsfcanada@rsf.org