Journalist Tatiana Felgenhauer's Assailant Caught on Video Moments Before Attack
A well-known Kremlin critic, journalist Tatiana Felgenhauer, was silenced by an intruder on Monday in Moscow.
Felgenhauer, a journalist for Russia's top independent radio station Ekho Moskvy, was stabbed in the neck during working hours by a man identified as Boris Grits. She was rushed to the hospital and went under emergency surgery Monday night. She was placed in a medically induced coma. She is now in a stable condition.
The station released security camera footage, confirming how Grits broke into the office. The assailant, who was dressed in black clothes, handed out papers to the person sitting at the reception table. When the person reached out to grab them, he pepper sprayed the staff.
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Though the video ends there, it can be assumed that he then proceeded to the editorial office where the disc jockey was wrapping up the broadcast of "Morning Turn." And attacked her. Grits is now under the custody of the police.
Alexei Vendiktov, editor-in-chief, is not convinced that the attack was planned by a sole figure. He pointed out how Grits could have known the layout of their office or Felgenhauer's working schedule.
"He knew things he shouldn't have known," said Vendiktov. "How did he know Tanya would still be here? By the time of the attack, she would normally have left. There are many questions."
Reports indicate that Grits kept a blog. And in several entries, he complained about how Felgenhauer has been following him in his mind. During police interrogation reports say that Grits claimed he made telepathic contact with the reporter over the course of five years.
Ekho journalists, as well as other independent journalists, have been attacked before, especially since they are branded as traitors in Russia.
Earlier last month, the state television channel Russia 24 singled out Ekho Moskvy, accused them of advancing foreign interests before the Russian presidential elections in March.
