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In Kaliningrad, law enforcement officers conducted a search at the home of journalist Ekaterina Tkacheva, reports SOTAvision.
The reasons for the search are not yet known, and there is currently no contact with Tkacheva.
The reporter has covered trials for SOTAvision involving political prisoners in Kaliningrad—Igor Baryshnikov, Mikhail Feldman, and Maria Bontsler.
10:24 In Syktyvkar, searches are underway at the independent cultural space “Revolt Centre,” as well as at the homes of staff members from “managers to baristas,” reports the Telegram channel “Novaya Respublika.” The reasons for the searches are also unknown at this time.
11:04 A search is being conducted at the home of Karelia-based journalist Valery Potashov, reports the channel “From Karelia with Freedom.” He collaborates with “Novaya Gazeta.”
In August 2024, his premises were inspected as part of an operational investigation, allegedly due to his previous cooperation with “Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.”
11:28 In Yoshkar-Ola, a city in central Russia, searches are being conducted at the homes of human rights defenders Irina Protasova and Olga Vasilyeva, reports “Public Verdict.”
Today, a search was also carried out at the home of Irkutsk-based human rights defender Svyatoslav Khromenkov, in the city of Irkutsk, eastern Siberia. After the search, he was taken to the Investigative Committee. It is not yet known whether any of these security force actions are connected.
12:23 The search of Kaliningrad journalist Ekaterina Tkacheva is linked to the searches at the “Revolt Centre,” reports SOTAvision. She was taken for questioning to an FSB office. The publication writes that the search warrant cites a state treason charge (Art. 275 of the Criminal Code), and that the main defendant in the case is the founder of the “Revolt Centre,” Pavel Andreev.
Earlier, “Sever.Realii” reported that the searches at the “Revolt Centre” were being conducted under the state treason article; however, “Novaya Gazeta Europe” disputed this.
14:06 The whereabouts of Irkutsk human rights defender Svyatoslav Khromenkov have been unknown for over six hours, and his lawyer cannot locate them, reports the channel “Zapravka 38.” The Investigative Committee in Irkutsk claims that the detainee was not brought to them.
15:29 Khromenkov has been released from the Investigative Committee, reports “People of Baikal” citing his wife.
17:02 The Karelia-based journalist Valery Potashov told From Karelia with Freedom that the search of his flat was carried out under a warrant issued by the Syktyvkar City Court. The pretext was a case against civil activists and journalists from the Komi Republic.
At the same time, a search at the journalist’s dacha was conducted on suspicion of involvement with the “undesirable” organisation “Novaya Gazeta. Europe.” The order for the investigative measures was issued by the Petrozavodsk City Court.
The journalist refused to give testimony. He is currently at liberty.
Potashov stated that he considers the FSB searches “yet another forceful attempt to put an end to my journalistic work in Karelia.”
17:10 The security forces have also released human rights defenders Irina Protasova and Olga Vasilyeva, reports “ReportVerdict.” During the searches, their phones and equipment were confiscated. Later, they were taken to the FSB and released three and a half hours later.
“The interaction was conducted correctly, without pressure or threats,” said Irina Protasova.
18:20 Today, a search was also carried out at the home of Komi human rights defender Igor Sazhin, reports “Memorial Society.” After the search, he was taken for questioning as a witness.
19:38 A four-hour search was also carried out today at the home of Alexey Sabelsky, a member of the Novgorod regional bureau of the “Yabloko” party. This was reported on the party’s channel.
FSB officers participated in the search. After the investigative actions, Sabelsky was brought in for a three-hour interrogation. He was assigned witness status in the case of the director of the “Revolt Centre” in Syktyvkar, Pavel Andreev.
The security forces confiscated his computer equipment, phone, and flash drives.
“Alexey Sabelsky is a professional journalist and photographer, an honest and decent person, a true patriot of our country. We believe that the actions of the security forces are aimed at intimidating and eliminating the remaining pockets of independent media in Russia,” the Novgorod “Yabloko” channel stated.
20:16 Kaliningrad journalist Ekaterina Tkacheva was released after interrogation at the FSB. She told SOTAvision about this. She has now reunited with her daughter.
The “Word in Defence” project, citing Tkacheva’s lawyer Roman Morozov, notes that the search at the journalist’s home was conducted on the basis of a Syktyvkar City Court order that had not yet entered into force. Morozov has appealed the document.
“Following the search, she was not given a summons but was effectively forced to go to the FSB building under the pretext of a 'conversation',” the lawyer said.
The location of Ekaterina Tkacheva was only established after her lawyer contacted the police to report her as missing. Later, the journalist herself got in touch.
Tkacheva’s status in the criminal case against Pavel Andreev for state treason has not yet been confirmed. She was not given a copy of the search protocol. According to Roman Morozov, the FSB may have had her sign a non-disclosure agreement to prevent her from leaving the country.
9 July A search in connection with the “Revolt Centre” case was also conducted at the home of photographer Alexey Molotorenko from Kostroma, a city on the Volga River, reports SOTA.
The headline has been changed following new information about searches.