Русский / English

Russian police have arrested a prominent investigative journalist, our friend and colleague Ivan Golunov. Police said Ivan was carrying several bags of unknown substance when he was stopped and searched. According to police, the substance was a club drug mephedrone.

Golunov said that the drug was planted. He also accused police officers of beating him, and he was denied access to a lawyer for 12 hours.  

Police published several pictures purporting to show drugs and chemical equipment at Golunov’s apartment, but friends said the apartment was not his.

36-year-old Ivan Golunov is well known for investigating corruption among Moscow city officials. The online news portal Meduza, Ivan’s employer, says that he received threats in recent months in connection with a story he was working on.

“We are convinced that Ivan Golunov is innocent,” Meduza’s statement reads. “Moreover, we have grounds to believe that Golunov is being persecuted because of his journalistic activity.”

We demand freedom for Ivan Golunov.