Natalia Morari Wins Hellman/Hammett Grant from Human Rights Watch

Today Human Rights Watch announced Hellman/Hammett grants today for 42 writers “in recognition of their commitment to free expression and courage in the face of political persecution.”  Among the listed writers are three Russians – Musa Mataev, Alikhan Kureishevich Timurziev, and the journalist Natalia Morari, whose investigative writings have been translated and featured on this blog numerous times in the past.

Here is the excerpt on Natalia’s award:

Natalia Morari (Russia) is an investigative journalist who writes about corruption and money laundering for the Moscow-based newspaper The New Times. In December 2007, when she was returning from an assignment in Israel, she was barred from entering Russia, held overnight at the airport, and deported to Moldova, her home country. Two weeks later, she was told that she was considered a threat to national security and would no longer be allowed to enter Russia. In February 2008, Morari married Ilya Barabanov, a Russian citizen who is also an investigative journalist at The New Times. When they attempted to visit Russia together as husband and wife, Morari was still refused entry.