In Zhytomyr, unidentified tried to overrun "20 khvylyn" journalist for investigation of corruption in correctional institution

On October 7, in Zhytomyr, unidentified men tried to overrun a journalist of the local media outlet “20 khvylyn” Maria Shomko. According to the media outlet’s website, the incident took place around 9 p.m. on Pionerska Street. They were driving a white car, probably a ‘Lada’ or ‘Slavuta’, and were waiting for her with the headlights off near her house on a spot with street lights off.

 When she was approaching her home she heard a car speeding up behind her. It made no honking or any other warning sound. She escaped the collision by running to a side alley. The car did not stop and went off. She called police, which arrived in about 40 minutes. Shomko submitted a complaint. She believes this incident is related to her professional activities, and namely to her article about the beating of an inmate in Zhytomyr correctional institution No.4 Ivan Nodzhak, who had been submitting numerous complaints to the Prosecutor General’s Office about the corruption among the management of the correctional institution. Nodzhak also received death threats.