TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — A journalist for the Russian edition of Forbes magazine has been detained on charges of spreading false information about the Russian military, his lawyer said Friday.
Sergei Mingazov is being held in the Far Eastern city of Khabarovsk, lawyer Konstantin Bubon said on Facebook. He said that Mingazov was detained because of social media posts he made about the Ukrainian city of Bucha, where more than 400 bodies of civilians were found, many bearing signs of torture, after Russian forces pulled out in April 2022.
Mingazov will appear in court on Saturday on the charge of spreading false information, which could send him to prison for 10 years if convicted.
Russia cracked down severely on criticism of the war soon after launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, passing laws that criminalize allegedly false information about the military or statements seen as discrediting the military.
Vladimir Putin is sworn in for his fifth term as president at glittering ceremony in front of hand
Asia Pacific news: US military wants to expand missile defences on Guam
Joe Biden says US 'considering' dropping pursuit of Julian Assange
Reporters Without Borders rep. denied entry to HK, NGO says
Medicare and Social Security go
Fears Shortland Street axing by TVNZ would silence a 'unique voice'
Michelle Yeoh shines in VERY quirky tin foil
Arizona Supreme Court reinstates near
Police investigating shooting outside Drake's mansion that left security guard wounded
Brazil and Italy analyze international payment management rules