A court in Moscow issued an arrest warrant for journalist Michael Naki for spreading what it deemed to be “fake news” about the Russian army. Naki, who is based outside of Russia and runs his own YouTube channel focused on political and social issues, had discussed the war in Ukraine and the shelling of the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant on YouTube with Conflict Intelligence Team founder Ruslan Leviev, who was been prosecuted separately. One of the accusations was also based on him referring to the war as a “war” and not as “special military operation” as demanded by Russian authorities. Both Naki and Leviev were outside Russia when the criminal charges was initiated and his arrest was ordered by the Basmanny Court of Moscow on May 18.

1 case
24.05.2022
Europe: Russia
Arrest/detention/charges: Criminal investigation/charges