ASTRA: Moscow court upholds detention of Novaya Gazeta journalist

A court in Moscow has upheld the pretrial detention of Oleg Roldugin, a reporter for Novaya Gazeta.

The Moscow City Court rejected an appeal to change Roldugin’s custody status, meaning he will remain in detention while the investigation continues. He is accused of the “illegal use and storage of personal data committed by a group,” under Russian criminal law, ASTRA reports.

Roldugin was detained on April 9, when authorities also searched his home. On the same day, law enforcement conducted a 13-hour search at the Novaya Gazeta editorial office. A court ordered his arrest the following day.

The case may be linked to a journalistic investigation examining the origins of wealth among individuals connected to Ramzan Kadyrov, particularly in relation to the “nationalisation” of assets previously owned by Danone.

By Sabina Mammadli