Founder of Readovka detained in Moscow over alleged large-scale fraud

Russian authorities have detained Alexey Kostylev, former editor-in-chief and founder of the media outlet Readovka, on suspicion of committing fraud on a particularly large scale, Kommersant reported.

Kostylev was taken into custody on February 25, Russian media reports.

Investigators have requested that the Tverskoy District Court of Moscow place him under pre-trial detention for two months. Further details of the case have not been disclosed.

Kostylev founded Readovka in 2014. In August 2025, the media company announced a change in ownership, after which Kostylev stepped down as editor-in-chief to focus on other projects.

By Aghakazim Guliyev