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Prominent investigative journalist detained in Russia after police find drugs in backpack, home

In this handout photo taken on Thursday, June 6, 2019 and released by Meduza, Ivan Golunov stands at a police station in Moscow, Russia. Police said on Friday that Ivan Golunov, who works for the independent website Meduza, was detained on Thursday with four grams of methylephedrine on him, and that drugs were also found at his home. The journalist now faces charges of dealing. (Dmitry Dzhulay, meduza.io via AP)
In this handout photo taken on Thursday, June 6, 2019 and released by Meduza, Ivan Golunov stands at a police station in Moscow, Russia. Police said on Friday that Ivan Golunov, who works for the independent website Meduza, was detained on Thursday with four grams of methylephedrine on him, and that drugs were also found at his home. The journalist now faces charges of dealing. (Dmitry Dzhulay, meduza.io via AP)

By Associated Press 4 min read

MOSCOW (AP) – A prominent Russian investigative journalist has been charged with drug dealing after four grams of the synthetic stimulant mephedrone were found in his backpack, Moscow police said Friday.

Ivan Golunov, who works for the independent website Meduza, was stopped by police in central Moscow on Thursday afternoon. Police also said that more drugs were found at his home.

Meduza’s director general, Galina Timchenko, told The Associated Press that Golunov, one of the most prominent investigative journalists in Russia, was beaten while in detention and denied medical tests that would show he has not handled drugs. Timchenko said she has photos that show the impact on the left side of his face.

Moscow police denied the accusations of beating.

Golunov is due to appear in court on Saturday. His lawyer said that his client was not allowed to contact his family or lawyer for 12 hours after he was detained.