Vienna, 8 April 2013
The Vienna South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) expresses deep sorrow at reports of the death of Mikhail Beketov (Михаил Бекетов). Beketov, who was former editor in chief of Khimkinskaya Pravda in the city of Khimki never fully recovered from injuries after a violent attack in 2008.
On 13 November 2008, Beketov was beaten and spent months in a coma. Head injuries left Beketov unable to speak. His leg and several fingers were amputated.
Beketov covered the construction of the motorway Moscow–Saint Petersburg and its potential damage to the environment before he was attacked.