Latvia: Women Press Freedom Strongly Condemns Grenade Attack on BBC Russia Journalists, Demands Protection for Exiled Journalists

While officially the motive of the attackers is yet unknown, it is likely the journalists were targeted

Location: Latvia, Riga
Date: December 24, 2023

The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom unequivocally denounce the recent grenade attack at Čē bar in Riga, Latvia, which targeted a gathering that included journalists from the BBC Russian service. This heinous act not only endangered the lives of those present but also represents a blatant assault on the freedom of the press and the safety of journalists. The fact that this attack occurred in Riga, a city that has become a sanctuary for exiled journalists, is deeply concerning. It signifies a disturbing trend where the safety of journalists is compromised even in their places of refuge. This is not only an attack on individual journalists but an attempt to stifle the freedom of expression and silence critical voices. We call on the Latvian authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into this attack, ensuring those responsible are held accountable. It is imperative that the investigation considers all possible motives, including the potential targeting of journalists due to their profession.

A grenade attack at a popular bar frequented by Russian exiles, including journalists from the BBC Russian service, raises concerns about the safety of independent journalists in exile. The incident, which occurred on Saturday night at the Čē bar in downtown Riga, involved an RGD-5 training grenade and resulted in the detention of two suspects.

"I felt very frightened and my ears popped. I haven't felt so much adrenaline in a long time," a woman reporter, asked to remain anonymous, told The Moscow Times following the incident.

According to local police, the motive behind the attack appeared to be a personal conflict with the bar's owners. However, the presence of BBC Russian journalists at the venue during the incident has sparked speculation about the attack being a targeted effort to intimidate independent journalists.

Witnesses reported that the grenade was thrown into the bar at around 11 p.m. local time, causing panic among the patrons. The journalists present were there to celebrate a colleague's farewell. The explosion, which occurred after one of the journalists attempted to kick the grenade away, caused no serious injuries but left many shaken.

"We heard a loud explosion, like a series of light bulbs shattering," one journalist described to The Moscow Times. "It was a terrifying experience, with immediate headaches and disorientation following the blast."

In a dramatic turn of events, patrons chased the attacker, who managed to escape in a waiting black BMW. BBC Russian correspondent Ilya Barabanov shared in a YouTube interview that the grenade’s fuse and pin were later found in the bar.

Riga has become a haven for journalists fleeing Russia's stringent wartime censorship laws. Since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, many independent journalists and media outlets, including the Russian bureaus of international networks such as BBC, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and Deutsche Welle, have relocated to the city.

Olesya Gerasimenko, a journalist with BBC Russian, expressed skepticism about the police's explanation on Twitter, suggesting the attack could be perceived as an act of intimidation towards journalists. "It looks more like a deliberate threat to our lives," Gerasimenko wrote, highlighting the precarious situation faced by independent journalists in exile.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom has documented a disturbing increase in attacks on Russian journalists in exile, many of whom likely targeted by the Kremlin. It reveals a disturbing pattern of persecution and intimidation, with exiled Russian journalists facing dire threats, including conviction in absentia, poisoning attempts, surveillance, and hacking. The targeting of exiled journalists is indicative of a broader tactic of transnational repression employed by the Russian government. 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom stand in solidarity with the journalists affected by this attack and with all journalists who face risks in the pursuit of truth. This incident underscores the increasingly perilous environment for journalists working under oppressive regimes and the challenges they face even when operating from abroad. We urge the international community to reinforce their commitment to protecting journalists. This includes providing adequate security measures for journalists in exile and ensuring that their right to free speech is upheld without fear of retribution. Journalism is not a crime. The intimidation and targeting of journalists, particularly those in exile, must be universally condemned.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.