Russian authorities today detained investigative journalist Oleg Roldugin, who works for the opposition newspaper “Novaya Gazeta“, accusing him of alleged misuse of personal data, Reuters reported, citing RIA Novosti, BTA reported.
Earlier today, the publication itself reported that masked security agents were searching his office in Moscow as part of an investigation, the nature of which was not specified. The authorities did not allow lawyers to enter the building.
In a statement on “Telegram“, the newspaper said it did not know the reason for the operation and that lawyers were not allowed access to the building. The Russian news agency RIA Novosti quoted law enforcement officials as saying that the search was related to an investigation into the illegal use of personal data.
Russia has tightened its censorship laws and increased pressure on independent media since it began its war in Ukraine in 2022.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court ruled today that Russia's leading human rights movement, Memorial, is an extremist organization - a move that paves the way for the prosecution of anyone who supports it, donates funds to it or shares its materials.
„Novaya Gazeta“ is one of Russia's most prominent investigative media outlets. The newspaper's editor-in-chief, Dmitry Muratov, was a co-winner of the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize and dedicated the award to six journalists from the paper who were killed for their work.
In 2023, Muratov was declared a „foreign agent“ - a label that authorities apply to people and organizations they believe carry out anti-Russian activity with support from abroad, Reuters recalls.