Alexander Shvarev

Affiliated media: Rosbalt, Journalist

Incident date: November 7, 2019

Attack type:

• Prosecution for libel, insult, violation of privacy (1)

Who attacked: Non-authorities

Source: MediaZona

Location: Russia, Moscow, Moscow

Additional information:

Rosbalt journalist Alexander Shvarev faced charges of extortion and defamation against businessman Alisher Usmanov in absentia. According to the investigation, the journalist spread false information, tarnishing the honour and reputation of Usmanov. The lawyer also demanded 3.3 million roubles from the Kazakh businessman Kenes Rakishev, accusing him of "spreading false witness and defamatory and disgraceful information". At the request of the investigator, the journalist was sentenced in absentia to two months’ arrest, with the sentence beginning at the point of his extradition or detention in the Russian Federation.