As reported on 14 March 2023, police in Russia’s Altay region searched the home of Amyr Aytashev, a journalist and local anti-corruption activist, as part of proceedings in a case opened against him for “discreditation” of the Russian army. Police confiscated Islamic literature and electronic devices at the premises, wrote Sibir.Realii, adding that this was the second time police searched Aytashev’s home since the case was opened against him. The journalist had left Russia in December, fearing persecution after a second case for “discreditation” of the army was opened against him by authorities. According to Sibir.Realii, the searches could be linked to the fact that the journalist exchanged messages with a Russian soldier deployed in Ukraine. Aytashev is officially accused of “discrediting” the Russian army for reposting two social media publications criticizing Russia’s large-scale invasion, one by the ex-governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, the other by Russian historian Kamil Galeev.