Law enforcement officers came with a search to a journalist of «regional and foreign internet publications» in Krasnoyarsk, Svetlana Khustik. After the searches, she was detained on suspicion of «public dissemination of knowingly false information about the actions of the Russian Armed Forces», reported the regional Investigative Committee.
According to the investigation, in May 2023, the suspect, «being a journalist of one of the foreign internet publications included in the register of foreign agents by the Russian Ministry of Justice», published material containing military «fakes». It is about an interview in the publication «Sibir.Realii». The case was initiated based on FSB materials. After the «publication of the interview», investigators claim, the journalist received 64 thousand rubles as a fee.
According to the investigation, Khustik has been collaborating with the publication since at least 2020.
According to the «Center for Media Rights Protection»**, last year in Russia, at least 45 journalists became defendants in criminal cases. Criminal cases were initiated against 16 journalists for failing to fulfill the duties of a «foreign agent», against 10 — for military «fakes», and another eight people became defendants in a case of participation in an «extremist» community. At least seven criminal cases were initiated against journalists under the article on «justification of terrorism».
«NotMoscow»** compiled a database of Russian journalists who came under investigation after the start of the war in Ukraine. There are now 163 names. Of these, 43 — are in colony, pre-trial detention, under house arrest, or prohibited from certain actions.
* Recognized in Russia as a «foreign agent» and «undesirable» organization.
** Recognized in Russia as a «foreign agent».