Country / Topic: Mongolia
Date: 10 January 2006
Source: Globe International NGO
Person: G.Batjav
Type of violation: Attack
(Globe International/IFEX) – On the night of 19 December 2005, unknown individual vandalised the vehicle of television journalist G. Batjav near his home in Ulaanbaatar. All of the windows were broken, both mirrors were torn apart and the interior of the car was destroyed. However, no valuables or car parts were taken.
Police Lieutenant Mr. D. Ankhbayar is investigating the incident. He said that it was not certain whether it was motivated by Batjav’s journalistic work or was simply an act of vandalism.
Previously, on 9 November, three individuals assaulted Batjav while he was having lunch in a small restaurant in the Sukhbaatar district of Ulaanbaatar . One of the men subdued him, while a second man kicked the journalist in the stomach. Batjav lost his two front teeth in the attack. One of the men also took Batjav by his collar and told him, “Stop doing this kind of job”. The attackers then fled.
During the last two months prior to this assault, Batjav had investigated a few cases of corruption connected to the General Department of Social Insurance, General Intelligence Department and General Department National Taxation and had prepared programs on the matter for Eagle TV, where he is employed.
After the 19 December incident, Batjav was asked to meet Mr.S. Erdene, General director of the General Department of Social Insurance, whose name was mentioned in the articles of the main media outlets, which were contradicting each other. Mr.S. Erdene demanded Batjay reveal his sources of information and evidence. Also, he insulted and offended Batjav for mentioning his name in the media outlets.
Batjav considers that the vandalism of his car was an attempt to threaten him, in order to impede his professional, journalistic activity. Together with Eagle TV executives, they informed the Police Department of the Sukhbaatar district of the capital, Ulaan Baatar, and also submitted information to the USA Embassy and Mongolian Press Institute about this incident.
To date, the police investigations have not yet reached any conclusion. Globe International therefore demands that the police intensify their investigation and come up with a solid conclusion.
Meanwhile, Batjav’s TV program serial will be aired by Eagle TV this week.