Statement by the Yabloko party, 12.04.2021

Photo: Roman Anin. / Photo by Vazhniye Istorii

On 9 April, the Federal Security Service (FSB) conducted a six-hour search of the house of Roman Anin, Editor-in-Chief of Vazhniye Istorii (Important Stories). After the search, the investigators took the journalist away for questioning. We consider such actions to be a crude attempt to put pressure on independent journalism and demand that the investigative actions against Roman Anin be stopped.

According to Roman’s lawyer, the reason for the search was the 2016 journalistic investigation “The Secret of “Princess Olga”. How is the head of Rosneft Igor Sechin connected with one of the most luxurious yachts in the world?” The authors of the investigation suggested that Igor Sechin’s ex-wife was vacationing on the luxury yacht St. Princess Olga worth $ 100 million. At the suit of Igor Sechin, the court ordered the release of a refutation of the article.

Roman Anin is one of the best investigative journalists in Russia. The investigations with his participation include “The Files of the Paradise Islands” and “The Panama Papers” about the owners of offshore companies, the investigation “Palaces Under Protection” about the enrichment of the presidential security service, “A Place for a Duel” about the palace of the son of the head of the Russian Guard in [luxurious] Barvikha and many others investigations on corruption.

Yabloko considers the search of Roman Anin’s house and his involvement in the criminal case as an attempt on freedom of speech. Search and interrogation of Roman have no reasonable reasons. Yabloko calls on all democratic politicians to stand up for Roman Anin and freedom of speech in Russia.

Nikolai Rybakov,

Chairman of the Yabloko party

Alexei Karnaukhov,

Director of the Anti-Corruption Policy Centre, Yabloko