Russian journalist Ivan Golunov in Moscow on October 27, 2018. Reuters hide caption
Well-known Russian investigative journalist Ivan Golunov was hospitalized Saturday after two days in police custody. He was detained on Thursday and charged with attempting to sell drugs on Saturday, according to Meduza, the online news site where Golunov, 36, works.
According to police, authorities found mephedrone, a narcotic, on the journalist during a search Thursday. They say they also found additional drugs, including cocaine, along with scales, in Golunov's apartment.
Supporters of detained journalist Ivan Golunov rally at the Moscow police headquarters on Friday, June 7. Dmitry Serebryakov/AP hide caption
Golunov says the drugs were planted, according to a statement from Meduza's CEO and editor-in-chief. The site also wrote that its correspondent was beaten in police custody and that he had to wait almost 14 hours to see his lawyer.
Russian authorities denied beating Golunov during his arrest. But on Saturday, officials announced that he was taken to a hospital after a medical examination in police custody. Independent Russian news agency Interfax reported that Golunov left the hospital Saturday and taken to a court in Moscow.
News of Golunov's arrest prompted an outcry in Moscow, especially among journalists. Dozens gathered outside Moscow's police headquarters on Friday.
News of Ivan's arrest sparked a truly unprecedented outpouring of solidarity among Russian journalists. This is a picket line at Petrovka 38, Russia's police HQ. People stand for a chance to join a rolling single-person picket — all that's allowed by Russian law w/o a permit pic.twitter.com/qIweaZMBnH
— Alexey Kovalev (@Alexey__Kovalev) June 7, 2019
"Russia has a long history of politically motivated charges against independent reporters. Investigative journalism is treated as a crime where it ought to be viewed as a public service," said a representative from Committee to Protect Journalists, Gulnoza Said. "We are convinced that Ivan Golunov is innocent. Moreover, we have reason to believe he's been targeted because of his work as a journalist."
PEN America, which advocates for free expression around the world, also weighed in: "These questionable accusations reflect the Russian government's long-standing practice of harassing its critics via both legalistic and clearly extra-legal means, which appear to have widened as regional elections are coming in September."
https://www.npr.org/2019/06/08/730910617/russian-investigative-journalist-hospitalized-after-arrest-on-alleged-drug-crime
2019-06-08 18:57:00Z
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