Russian authorities faced unprecedented pushback on Monday against the arrest of an investigative reporter on drugs charges, with independent as well as pro-Kremlin figures urging his release. Journalist Ivan Golunov was detained on drug charges last week but says he is being punished for his work as an investigative reporter. The phrase was drawn from the slogan “I am Charlie” that emerged after the 2015 killing of 12 people at Charlie Hebdo. Mr. Golunov, 36, a reporter with Meduza, an independent Russian-language media outlet, was detained last week on allegations that he manufactured and dealt in drugs. He faces up to 20 years in prison, but defence lawyers say drugs were planted on him.

Source: The Hindu June 10, 2019 16:41 UTC