Five Moscow police employees put on leave in connection with Ivan Golunov case

Five employees of Russia’s police division for the city of Moscow have been placed on leave. News of the suspensions came to light after Russian civilians, including journalists, formally requested information from the division regarding the aftermath of the case against Meduza correspondent Ivan Golunov. On July 10, journalist Vasily Vaisenberg posted a document on Facebook in which Moscow Police Chief Sergey Popov responded to one such request by saying five of his employees had been temporarily relieved of their duties.

False drug distribution accusations against Ivan Golunov galvanized Russian civil society in early June, sparking an unprecedented support movement that led in turn to Golunov’s release. Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev announced on June 11 that the officers who participated directly in Golunov’s arrest would be placed on leave. In early July, news broke that their direct superior was suspended from his duties as well. The police officers who arrested Golunov were Roman Feofanov, Dmitry Kozhanov, Akbar Sergaliev, and Denis Konovalov. The case was investigated by Igor Lopatin.