OSCE representative calls for release of Kaliningrad publisher Rudnikova
VIENNA, 3 Dec — RIA Novosti. The OSCE representative on freedom of the media Harlem Desir calls upon the Russian authorities to release the pending investigation of the Kaliningrad publisher Igor Rudnikova, detained on the case of extortion, said in a statement on Friday, the press service of the organization.
The Deputy of the Kaliningrad regional Duma and the publisher of the newspaper “New wheel” Igor Mines became the figurant of criminal case about extortion, with him, arrested the former Deputy presidential envoy in the northwestern Federal district Alexander datsishin.
According to investigators, Mines extorted from the head of the Kaliningrad SUCK Victor Ledeneva 50 thousand dollars not to publish articles about General, said in the Central district court of Kaliningrad, which is currently considering a measure Rodnikova.
On Wednesday the journalist of “New wheels” Yuri Grosman reported that law enforcement officers conducted an operation in the newspaper, more than 10 people in camouflage “broke into the editorial office”, was searched. The journalist added that were seized all documents and computer hard drives, the founder of the newspaper was questioned, and after he became ill, was hospitalized Rudnikova. As reported to journalists by the Governor of the region Anton Alikhanov, the Kaliningrad edition of the newspaper “New wheels” continued to work after the search.