FSB Raids Two Perm Newspapers

On October 5th, FSB soldiers raided and closed down the editorial offices of two newspapers in the central Russian city of Perm. Gazeta.ru reported that the troopers, masked and armed with automatic weapons, blocked entrance for editors and journalists of the “Perm Review” as well as “Perm’s Neighbors”. Officials of the Federal Security Bureau, the modern successor of the KGB, refused to comment.

Local Perm legal observers were also barred from the building.

One single commentary was heard from the FSB troops:
“Investigative actions are being conducted in connection with an instigated criminal matter. A search is taking place.”

The Perm Review is considered the only independent mass-media in the region, and is regularly subjected to pressure from authorities, including searches, as well as halted circulation. It is unclear when publication will resume.