Ryazan Journalists Arrested on Extortion Charges Amid Growing Pressure on Russian Media

January 31, 2025 – Russia –

In January 2025, three Russian journalists were arrested in Ryazan on charges of extorting a local businessman. The case has attracted widespread attention, highlighting ongoing concerns about media freedom and the legal pressures faced by journalists in Russia.

Those arrested include Konstantin Smirnov, editor-in-chief of the Telegram channel Ryazan Vid Sboku and a local Yabloko party member, Alexei Frolov, former head of the Ryazan bureau for the independent Novaya Gazeta, and Natalia Smolyaninova, a former television reporter. Authorities allege that the journalists demanded between 300,000 and 1.2 million rubles (approximately $3,000–$15,000) from the acting head of Ryazan’s housing repair fund in exchange for not publishing damaging articles.

The trio was initially detained pending investigation. Prosecutors charged them with “large-scale extortion,” a serious offense in Russia that carries a potential prison sentence of up to seven years. According to investigators, the journalists used their media platforms to pressure the businessman into paying bribes in 2024, threatening to release negative stories if their demands were not met.

In March 2025, Alexei Frolov pleaded guilty to the charges, while legal proceedings against Smirnov and Smolyaninova continued. Following public appeals from 22 local journalists, Ryazan’s Sovetsky District Court decided in late May 2025 to place Frolov and Smolyaninova under house arrest. Smirnov’s detention hearing remains ongoing.

The case comes against a backdrop of increasing state control over independent media in Russia. Since the start of the war in Ukraine and the introduction of harsh censorship laws, many independent journalists and outlets have faced growing government pressure, including license revocations, arrests, and charges often viewed as politically motivated. Novaya Gazeta, once one of Russia’s most respected independent newspapers, has faced multiple legal obstacles, further shrinking the space for critical journalism.

While house arrest offers some relief to the journalists involved, the Ryazan extortion case reflects the broader challenges faced by Russian media operating under tightening state restrictions, where legal charges can be used to intimidate and silence critical voices.

References –

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/01/31/news-editors-arrested-in-ryazan-extortion-case-a87812

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/ryazan-news-editor-accused-of-extortion-released-on-house-arrest/ar-AA1FE0bz https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/05/28/ryazan-news-editor-accused-of-extortion-released-on-house-arrest-a89261