A prominent Russian investigative journalist has been charged with drug dealing after four grams of a synthetic drug called mephedrone were found in his backpack, Moscow police said Friday.
Ivan Golunov, who works for the independent website Meduza, was stopped by police in central Moscow on Thursday afternoon. Police also said that more drugs were found at his home.
Meduza's director general Galina Timchenko told The Associated Press that Golunov, one of the most prominent investigative journalists in Russia, was beaten while in detention and denied medical tests that would show he has not handled drugs.
Timchenko said she has photos that show the impact on the left side of his face. Moscow police denied the accusations of beating.
Golunov was due to appear in court Friday evening. His lawyer said that his client was not allowed to contact his family or lawyer for 12 hours after he was detained.
Golunov, 36, has recently received threats linked to a story he was pursing, Timchenko said.
"We are convinced that Ivan Golunov is innocent," Timchenko's Meduza said in a statement.
"What's more, we have reasons to believe that Golunov is being persecuted for his journalism. We know that Vanya (Golunov) has been receiving threats in recent months, and we know which particular unfinished story they relate to."
"Vanya's apartment had white walls. I can't imagine all of the stuff in those pictures can be fitted in the apartment that I have been to so that no one would notice."
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