Russian embassy in Washington sends protest note to U.S. State Dept. over attack on Russian reporters in Portland
MOSCOW. July 22 (Interfax) - The Russian embassy in Washington has sent a note of protest to the U.S. Department of State, asking for a thorough investigation after Channel One reporters were attacked in Portland, Oregon.
"A note of protest has been sent to the Department of State in regard to this scandalous case. We have demanded that the U.S. conduct a thorough investigation and inform us of its results," Russian Ambassador to the U.S. Anatoly Antonov said.
"Correspondent Yulia Olkhovskaya and cameraman Vyacheslav Arkhipov were subjected to unacceptable treatment by local police. The members of the press identified themselves loud and clear. They produced documents, press cards, without any resistance," he said.
"We promptly contacted the Russian nationals. Their health is not causing concern. They aren't in need of any medical aid. We recommended that they keep at a safe distance from conflicting parties," Antonov said in Russian in reply to a question from the media on the Russian embassy's Facebook page.
"We will demand that this incident be taken into account by the rights organizations monitoring violations of media workers' rights in the U.S.," he said.
A group of Channel One journalists was attacked in Portland, the U.S., the channel's press service said on Wednesday.
"Yulia Olkhovskaya's crew found itself in the way of camouflaged people who ran out of a courtroom when tensions began running high outside," the television station's press service told Interfax.
"Olkhovskaya was pushed really hard, while people wielding clubs attacked the cameraman. The camera was smashed. The journalists sustained cuts and bruises," it said.
Both journalists had press cards, the press service said. They were working near a local court, filming footage about local unrest.
