BERNARD SHAW, CNN ANCHOR: The United States State Department has asked Moscow to, quote, "come clean" on the status of a Radio Liberty reporter who was detained by Russian forces in Chechnya. CNN's Matthew Chance reports.</s>MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Latest images of a man at the center of a Russian mystery. The plight of journalist Andrei Babitsky has captivated the Moscow press, is raising fresh concerns about media freedom in Russia and has left his family desperate with worry.</s>LUDMILA BABITSKAYA (through translator): It's absolutely clear to me that this man is completely depressed. His morale is crushed. This is clear, not just to me, his wife, but to everyone that knows him.</s>CHANCE: An employee of the U.S. Government-funded radio station, Radio Liberty, Andrei Babitsky spent weeks with rebel fighters in Chechnya, broadcasting reports criticized by the Russian authorities. As Russian troops advanced into Grozny last month, Babitsky was detained and accused of cooperating with enemies of the Russian state. What followed was an event that has outraged his employers and independent journalists alike. This footage shows Babitsky apparently being handed over to masked Chechen rebels by Russian troops in exchange for two Russian soldiers. The Russian authorities say he volunteered to be exchanged. His wife says her children just want their father back.</s>BABITSKAYA (through translator): To me, it's not important who he's with. The only thing I know is that my husband is in trouble. It hurts me to look at him. It's obvious he's not happy where he is. I just don't understand what's happening.</s>CHANCE (on camera): The latest word from the Chechen leadership suggests Andrei Babitsky is indeed with a rebel unit on the ground in the breakaway republic. But there's still been no direct contact with him or any indication of when or in what condition he may finally emerge. Matthew Chance, CNN, Moscow.
State Department Asks Moscow to 'Come Clean' on Status of Radio Liberty Reporter