09.08 Rossiya Segodnya Launches #FreeAndrew Campaign to Support Missing Photographer Stenin

MOSCOW, August 9 (RIA Novosti) - The International Information News Agency Rossiya Segodnya is launching a campaign to support its photographer Andrei Stenin

who went missing in the combat zone in Ukraine’s east.

In Moscow, near RIA Novosti information agency headquarters next to metro station Park Kultury, as well as on Pushkin Square photos taken by Stenin will be distributed, with a call to support demands for his release in social networks #freeAndrew. The campaign will begin at noon on Sunday local time (08:00 GMT). Volunteers are expected to hand out 5,000 photos.

At 5:00 p.m. local time (13:00 GMT) a display of photographs, made by Stenin in southeastern Ukraine, will be organized near RIA Novosti headquarters.

Director-General of the International Information News Agency Rossiya Segodnya Dmitry Kiselev urged on Friday the release of the agency's photographer Andrei Stenin: "First of all, we demand the release of Andrei Stenin and also his proper treatment. The circumstances of Ukrainian security force' previous detentions of journalists from Russia and other countries suggest that they [journalists] could be treated improperly. Andrei was performing his professional duties, working on both sides of the front line in eastern Ukraine. His works, praised by colleagues and the public, have allowed the world to learn about the suffering Ukraine and its people are going through now, no matter which side they are on," Kiselev said.

The news agency's director-general expressed hope that his foreign colleagues would also urge the release of the Rossiya Segodnya journalist.

"We call on our colleagues from Russia and other countries to back our demand for Stenin's release and expect human and professional solidarity," Kiselev said.