The editors of Novaya Gazeta issued a statement regarding the criminal prosecution of their journalist Oleg Roldugin, who was arrested on April 10 as part of the case of illegal use of personal data.
The journalists point out that they do not understand the essence of the criminal case, and that the arrest of their colleague for a crime “that no one can name” seems like an “absurdity.”
“Oleg Roldugin was not arrested on any charge, but on suspicion of something. What exactly was not clear in court. It did not become clear: neither the event of the crime, nor when it was committed, nor who committed it, nor who was the victim of this crime, was not known even to the investigation, says the opening statement. “Basically, Oleg Roldugin, as we can assume, is suspected of working as an investigative journalist and publishing texts of important public interest – about the corruption of high-ranking officials. (Including in the law enforcement system).”
In addition, journalists expressed their bewilderment over the search of Novaya Gazeta, which was carried out by a large number of plainclothes officers over a 12-hour period.
We can say the following: Whatever charge may one day be brought against Oleg Roldugin, it will most likely be connected with his professional journalistic activities, during which he presented to the public the information that became known to him regarding the extremely brazen corruption of high-ranking officials and security forces. The brutal detention of Oleg and the search of the editorial office were, as we can assume, also aimed at forcing Novaya Gazeta to suspend its activities.
The editors of Novaya Gazeta promised to continue their work and make every effort to release Oleg Roldugin from custody.
The editorial office of Novaya Gazeta in Moscow was searched on April 9. Meanwhile, newspaper columnist Oleg Roldugin was arrested. The next day, the Tverskoy Court in Moscow arrested the journalist in a criminal case on charges of illegal use of personal data (Article 272.1 of the Criminal Code). The BBC Russian service, citing sources, wrote that Roldugin might be persecuted over the Telegram channel “more than just a fact.”