The editor-in-chief of Altay independent newspaper LIStok, Sergey Mikhailov, was detained and charged with distributing false information about the Russian armed forces on two counts. The charges are in relation to posts made about the war crimes in Bucha and the general course of the war in Ukraine on the outlet’s telegram channel and in print on two separate occasions. Mikhailov alleged that upon his arrest, the authorities threatened him with physical violence. A regional Altay court in Gorno-Altaysk prolonged the detention under guard of Mikhailov.

UPDATE: On July 8, a court in Gorno-Altaysk again extended Mikhailov’s arrest. The editor-in-chief of LIStok is set to remain in custody until September 15.

UPDATE: As of January 2023, journalist Sergey Mikhailov remained in pre-trial detention.

UPDATE: On April 7, a court in Gorno-Altaysk returned Mikhailov’s case to the local prosecutor’s office due to alleged numerous errors in the accusation documents. However, the journalist remains in pre-trial detention.

UPDATE: On May 20, the Supreme Court of Altay accepted a local prosecutor’s request to examine the case again. The case against Mikhailov was transferred to a court of first instance.

UPDATE: On June 14, a court in Gorno-Altaysk opened proceedings in Mikhailov’s case. The session was adjourned with the journalist remaining under arrest.

UPDATE: On September 15, a court in Gorno-Altaysk extended Mikhailov’s arrest to December 21.