Russian journalists critical of authorities have led a dangerous existence since the 1990s - sometimes threatened, physically attacked, and even murdered for their work. Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev said the criminal case against Golunov was being dropped due to a lack of evidence of any wrongdoing on his part. Russia ranks 149th out of 180 countries worldwide on a media freedom index compiled by Reporters Without Borders, an advocacy group. A team of investigative journalists would continue to try to establish who was behind his persecution, they added. The authorities had said the protesters did not have approval, and that their protest could threaten public safety.

Source: bd News24 June 11, 2019 19:41 UTC