Criminal proceedings have been initiated against Alina Dzhikaeva, editor-in-chief of the South Ossetian Telegram channel “Sapa”. She has been accused of bribing a police officer. In a public statement, the editor of Sapa noted that the ongoing criminal case and investigative measures against her bear signs of pressure being exerted on representatives of independent media.

According to Dzhikaeva, the charges brought against her relate to her previous work with the publication Baza and not to the “Sapa” editorial team. Nevertheless, law enforcement officers carried out searches at the homes of her current colleagues, confiscated their personal devices, and kept employees at police stations for hours, even though they had no connection to the case.

In the public letter published by the editor of “Sapa”, it is stated that, as part of the investigation, she and her colleagues were under surveillance for almost a year, while covert listening devices had also been installed in the editorial office. Dzhikaeva believes that operational measures of such scale were directed against journalistic activities and were intended to restrict the work of the media.

The journalist notes that the practice of exchanging information between the media and law enforcement agencies is an inherent part of journalistic work. According to her, the information received from sources did not contain state secrets, personal data relating to private life, or any information that could compromise an individual. She further explained that the materials provided were soon published through official channels of the state authorities themselves.

Dzhikaeva also stated that she initially did not admit the charges brought against her, as the case file contained the wording “a crime committed by a group of persons”, which she disputed. According to her, after this wording was removed from the case, she admitted the charges under the new legal classification.

Dzhikaeva has been in detention for three months, even though the case does not concern a violent offence and she is cooperating with the investigation. The journalist also spoke about the pressure exerted on her during her period of detention. Law enforcement officers allegedly pressured her to provide testimony against others.

The investigation, as she was informed, has already been completed; however, the journalist remains in detention. According to Alina Dzhikaeva, the case goes beyond the issue of her personal responsibility and creates a precedent that poses a threat of pressure being exerted on independent media activities and of journalists being intimidated. In her assessment, it is particularly concerning that the investigative measures were extended to the editorial team, which, according to her, has no connection to the charges.

The journalist believes that only a public examination of the case and public attention can serve as an important guarantee of a fair process.

The attack on the team of the only independent media outlet, “Sapa”, and the continued detention of its editor-in-chief represent a direct blow to freedom of expression. This sends a clear signal to the entire media sector that any alternative or rapid source of information will be subject to severe punishment.