Putin's police ‘deliberately targeted’ media during violent Navalny protests

Russian authorities “deliberately targeted” journalists for beatings during the protests in support of dissident activist Alexei Navalny, according to an international media organization.

The mistreatment of the journalists was part of an apparent censorship policy as Russian President Vladimir Putin seeks to preserve the perception of political power in the face of nationwide protests against Navalny’s arrest. The rough enforcement tactics buttressed one of Putin’s chief advantages in the feud with Navalny, who has released YouTube videos humiliating the Kremlin chief with corruption allegations, while the central government dominates conventional media platforms.