The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) have joined calls for a thorough and immediate investigation into an attack on a BBC news team in the southern Russian city of Astrakhan.

According to the BBC, the team was in the city to investigate reports of Russian servicemen being killed near the border with Ukraine. They were confronted by individuals who violently grabbed the team’s camera and smashed it on the road, and then escaped with it in a getaway car. During the attack, the team’s cameraman was knocked to the ground and beaten.

“We join international condemnation of this attack and we call on Russian authorities to ensure that a detailed investigation is carried out so the perpetrators of this crime face the full weight of justice,” said IFJ General Secretary Beth Costa. “Journalists must be free to move and report without fear of intimidation of attack. Those responsible for this appalling attack must answer for their crimes.”

Please read the full IFJ statement on www.ifj.org