In several Russian regions – Moscow, Rostov, Tyumen and Sverdlovsk regions – the security forces came with searches to journalists. This is reported by OVD-Info, as well as local media.
In Yekaterinburg, early in the morning, law enforcement officers came to the apartment of Vladislav Postnikov, editor-in-chief of Vecherniye Vedomosti, the pro-Kremlin URALLIVE channel reports , publishing a video. Postnikov is referred to in this report as Khodorkovsky's ex-comrade-in-arms, indicating that the editor had long headed the Ural branch of Open Russia.
Before the search, the security forces broke down the door to Postnikov's apartment, but there was no one inside. The channel claims that it was searched because of links with the February Morning project and politician Ilya Ponomarev. On August 9, a criminal case was initiated against Ponomarev under the article about "fake" about the army, and he was also arrested in absentia.
The publication Vecherniye Vedomosti was fined twice under the article on discrediting the armed forces of the Russian Federation. One of the fines was 200 thousand rubles, law enforcement officers allegedly found 54 examples of discrediting the army in Telegram.
In the Rostov region, the security forces also began the morning with searches of a journalist who, in their opinion, is associated with the February Morning. Law enforcement officers came to the activist and RusNews journalist Bella Nasibyan, a friend of the detainee told OVD-Info. Before the search, the journalist discovered that her bank accounts were blocked.
In Tyumen, searches are underway at the home of Yulia Glazova, a freelance correspondent for Radio Liberty (Sibir.Realii) and ex-editor of the Tyumen-Pro portal. In Odintsovo, Moscow Region, mass searches were carried out at the homes of four journalists and Andrei Ostroukhov, director of the Odintsovo-INFO portal.
As a source in law enforcement agencies told RIA Novosti, investigative measures are taking place at the places of residence of the administrators of Telegram and YouTube channels (including the Morning of February channel), which belong to ex-State Duma deputy Ilya Ponomarev. Law enforcers believe that Ponomarev continues from abroad "destructive activities against Russia in instant messengers and social networks."
Former State Duma deputy Ilya Ponomarev, who voted against the “annexation” of Crimea, left Russia and in 2019 received Ukrainian citizenship. Previously, he had already been arrested in absentia in 2015 in the case of embezzlement of the Skolkovo Foundation, the decision was made by the Basmanny Court of Moscow. In the same year, Russia put him on the international wanted list.