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France: knife attack on Ukrainian human rights activist in Strasbourg condemned
‘This is the first time that someone has been targeted across international borders’ - Heather McGill
The French authorities must ensure the protection of a Ukrainian human rights activist who was the victim of a horrific attack at his home in Strasbourg earlier this week, said Amnesty International.
Andrei Fedosov, a refugee in France who has recently been visibly active in Strasbourg campaigning on behalf of the anti-government protests in Ukraine, has reported that he was attacked on Monday night by an unknown Russian speaker.
He told Amnesty that a masked assailant bound his hands and feet with tape, and stabbed him in the stomach and the leg with a knife and a razor. The attacker interrogated Fedosov about his human rights activities and stole the hard disk from his computer.
During the two preceding days Fedosov received an anonymous threatening note, and three bullets were left on his doorstep. He reported the threats to the police in Strasbourg, but they did not offer him any protection. The police are currently investigating the case.
Fedosov was granted asylum in France in 2011 after he had been attacked and tortured in Ukraine, following his exposure of corruption and human rights abuse in psychiatric hospitals in Ukraine.
Amnesty International’s expert on Ukraine, Heather McGill, said:“This is an extremely worrying development.“During the EuroMaydan anti-government protests, activists have been abducted and tortured by unknown assailants in Ukraine, and at least four protesters have died.“This is the first time that someone has been targeted across international borders.“There is a real perceived risk to Andrei Fedosov’s life and the French authorities must do everything in their power to protect him.“The French authorities must ensure that whoever carried out this attack is identified and brought to justice.”