Attacked Russian journalist Kashin may give evidence on Wednesday
Russian journalist Oleg Kashin, who was brutally attacked on November 6, may give his evidence to investigators on Wednesday, his wife said.
Kashin, who works for the respected Kommersant daily, was severely beaten by unidentified assailants near his house in Moscow on November 6. He suffered severe head and leg injuries and was put into an induced coma. On Monday his condition improved and he was removed from a respirator.
"Doctors think that if nothing unexpected happens, Oleg may meet with investigators on Wednesday. However, it will be a very short meeting, and will last less than ten minutes," Yevgeniya Milova said.
It is widely assumed that Kashin was targeted in revenge for his writing on sensitive social issues, including plans to build a road from Moscow to St. Petersburg through a centuries-old Khimki forest. The project was put on hold by President Dmitry Medvedev in the summer.
Kommersant editor Mikhail Mikhailin said earlier that Kashin had been labeled a "traitor" by Molodaya Gvardiya, a youth group linked to the ruling United Russia party. The organization said Kashin would "be punished" for his reports.
Another campaigner against the road, Konstantin Fetisov, was attacked in Khimki days before Kashin`s beating.
Two years ago, Mikhail Beketov, a local newspaper editor, was nearly killed outside his home in Khimki for speaking out against the road. The style of attack was much similar to that on Kashin.
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