Russia seeks jail for cops in journalist’s drug arrest

MOSCOW — A prosecutor on Tuesday requested sentences ranging from seven to 16 years for five ex-policemen on trial for planting drugs on a prominent investigative journalist, Russian news agencies reported.اضافة اعلان

The arrest of reporter Ivan Golunov in June 2019 on trumped-up drug charges spurred a massive campaign calling for his release led by activists and Kremlin critics.

His supporters and employer -- the independent Russian-language media outlet Meduza -- said the drugs had been planted on him as revenge for his work.

Golunov, 38, was released days later after an unprecedented campaign in his support, and the five police officers who arrested him were dismissed and taken into custody in January 2020.


Read more Region & World