Russia: At least ten journalists detained in new protest wave

Russian authorities detained on Wednesday 11 June hundreds of people, including at least 10 journalists, following a protest in Moscow in support of investigative journalist Ivan Golunov. The International and European Federations of Journalists (IFJ/EFJ) joined their affiliate in Russia, the Russian Union of Journalists (RUJ), in asking for immediate release of all detained journalists.

Russian police officers detain French journalist, Emmanuel Grynszpan, during a march in central Moscow on June 12, 2019. Crédits: Alexander NEMENOV / AFP

Today's unsanctioned march was initially called to press for the release of Meduza journalist Ivan Golunov who was freed on 12 June. Demonstrators were calling for punishment of police officers involved in Golunov's arrest on 6th June on drug-dealing accusations. Golunov always denied the allegation and accused police officers of punching and kicking him while in detention.

A massive public outcry and unprecedented solidarity among Russiansprompted the authorities to drop all the charges against him.

Around 10 journalists were detained today, including press and TV reporters doing their job covering the event for Kommersant, Der Spiegel or TV Rain.

RUJ Chairman Vladimir Solovyov today demanded  the release of the detained journalists and called on the police to respect the citizen's freedom of association and the journalists' freedom of information.

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