Ivan Golunov must be released

News are facts. High -quality journalism tells people about the contradictory structure of the world, considers opposite points of view, shows problems from different angles. Investigative journalism suggests that it is hidden, that it is important for many to know, and someone, on the contrary, does not want to see the published at all. The Volga flows into the Caspian Sea, Russia is our Fatherland, death is inevitable.

The special correspondent of Medusa Ivan Kolunov was detained in Moscow on the afternoon of June 6. Police unexpectedly found drugs among the author of dozens of high -quality journalistic investigations devoted to corruption and the most difficult economic topics affecting dangerous and influential people. Until late at night, he was not allowed to contact a lawyer, he was beaten - at least, they dragged on the floor: pictures were published with a journalist's scratched back.

The next day, the Moscow Police press service published photos with a dump of incomprehensible substances in an unknown place and stated that the pictures were taken at the house at home. After a series of publications with evidence that Golunov’s apartment looks different, the police changed their position - she actually recognized a direct lies, widespread and repeatedly confirmed a few hours earlier.

We think that a professional journalist must doubt almost everything except one thing: that with all the complexity of reality and with all the variety of opinions on complex issues, there is an unambiguous truth. And there are situations in which there cannot be halftones. This is one of them, and this, in our opinion, is a fact.

The criminal case against one of the best and most effective investigators in the country looks like a provocation. It has long been known that in Russia criminal cases on narcotic articles are often freathed. It is clear to us that not only the intra-direction, but also the general support of one of the few remaining journalists-investigators is a matter of personal security of everyone who lives and works in Russia. Therefore, the “Paper” team - not only journalists, but also employees of all departments of our publication - expresses support to Ivan Golunov and the Medusa editorial office. We are in solidarity with everyone who is outraged by the detention of Golunov. Ivan Golunov must be released.

Update from June 11

The head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Vladimir Kolokoltsev announced that the case against Ivan Golunov was terminated "in connection with the unproven of his participation in the commission of the crime." On Tuesday, he will be released from house arrest.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs sent to the Investigative Committee the materials of the internal investigation about the actions of the police who detained Golunov. During the audit, they were removed from work. Kolokoltsev also stated that the president would ask for the resignation of the head of the Internal Affairs Directorate in the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Moscow Andrei Puchkov and the head of the Office for the Control of Drug Control of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Moscow Yuri Devyatkin.

Golunov himself believes that criminal prosecution is associated with his investigation of the funeral business in Russia-because of him he received threats. With the resolution of Medusa, we reprinted the text of the journalist about the ritual market, be sure to read it here . And we also collected several other resonant investigations by Golunov - they should also familiarize themselves with them.

Medusa editor-in-chief Ivan Kolpakov said that before the detention, Golunov managed to hand over his new text to the editor, because of which he received threats. Medusa intends to complete the investigation of its journalist and attract colleagues from other Russian publications to this work. The text will be published on different sites, including foreign media.

On the morning of June 10, the three largest business newspapers in Russia - RBC, Vedomosti and Kommersant - came out with the same covers in support of Ivan Golunov. We believe that this is a wonderful and unprecedented example of professional solidarity.

If someone from colleagues from other regional publications, niche media or entertainment publics will want to join this action, we made covers for communities in social networks. They can be downloaded here in the form of PSD files to replace branded colors with yours.