The editor in chief of the outspoken Russian radio station Ekho Moskvy has been summoned by Russian prosecutors for questioning — one day after the station’s majority shareholder, the state-run energy giant Gazprom, dissolved the station’s board of directors.
Aleksei Venediktov wrote on Twitter that he has been asked to appear before prosecutors on February 16 to explain a complaint over an alleged labor code violation.
Gazprom-Media, the media arm of Gazprom and Ekho Moskvy’s majority shareholder, on February 14 ordered the dissolution of the station’s board.
Ekho Moskvy staff say the reshuffle is meant to pressure the station into curbing its coverage ahead of presidential elections next month.
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who is seeking a return to the presidency, in January accused Ekho Moskvy of “pouring diarrhea” on him with critical coverage.
Compiled from agency reports
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