Media: Government informant involved in deaths of Russian journalists in Central Africa
A government informant was involved in the deaths of the Russian journalists in the Central African Republic, MBK Media reports, citing the investigation into the murder of Orkhan Dzhemal, Alexander Rastorguev and Kirill Radchenko. The investigation was initiated by Russian oppositionist Mikhail Khodorkovsky.
“The ambush was prepared, it was not a random attack, a local government informant took part in it. It is known that the driver, who could have told a lot, was taken away from the Gendarmerie. Where he is now, and in what condition, is unknown. The guys’ bodies, according to the latest information, have been sent to a military base. The locals were outright banned from talking to foreigners, especially to journalists,” Khodorkovsky explained.
On July 31, Russian journalist Orkhan Dzhemal, documentary filmmaker Alexander Rastorguev, and cameraman Kirill Radchenko were killed in attack by unidentified persons in the Central African Republic. The Russian Investigative Committee has initiated a criminal case according to article 105 of the Russian Criminal Code (murder).
The Russians’ driver, who survived the attack, said that they were ambushed and died on the spot.
The the day after the event, local news site Palmares Centrafrique reported that the Russians had been interrogated and killed by followers of Noureddine Adam, one of the leaders of the Seleka rebel group. Adam’s forces control the area surrounding the city of Dekoa, which lies roughly halfway between Sibut and Kaga-Bandoro.
The victims’ driver later said that the three Russian journalists appeared to understand what their assailants were saying to them, in a language not native to the country.
The Russian film crew was in the Central African Republic in order to film a documentary on the activity of the Wagner Group, a Russian private military company, in the country.