A journalist from Izvestia, Natalia Grafchikova, faced a troubling incident at a seminar hosted by blogger Inna Tliashinova in Khimki. The event raised concerns about safety and the possible reasons behind the aggression that surrounded the filming team. According to Grafchikova, what happened at the venue after authorities arrived indicated a reluctance to draw media attention. The journalist described how law enforcement officers showed up at the location but were not granted access to the building, a detail that gave rise to questions about the handling of media coverage around the seminar and the security measures in place.
Grafchikova noted that the participants and organizers were uneasy about media presence. They suggested that media coverage could trigger further scrutiny of the organizers by tax authorities and other regulatory bodies. This fear of scrutiny appeared to be a driving force behind their initial resistance to questions from the film crew. Grafchikova used a strong worded reflection on the situation, saying the organizers wanted to avoid media attention altogether, yet the press attention eventually materialized in an unexpected way.
The journalist recounted that the organizers marketed the event as a high profile festival, but their concerns were not limited to public image alone. They seemed to fear that the Izvestia report would prompt investigations into income reporting and the validation of tax documents and other official records. The fear of regulatory checks led to a decision to limit media access, a choice that backfired as the story gained wider visibility and scrutiny beyond the organizers’ initial expectations.
Grafchikova added that the events surrounding the seminar were marked by tense interactions with security personnel. Earlier, she had been confronted at the building entrance where the VIP trainer Inna Tliashinova was hosting the seminar. Reports indicate that a security guard then removed Grafchikova from the premises and confiscated her phone as she was escorted outside wearing only socks. Local medical teams were summoned and found a hematoma in the right frontotemporal region and bruising on several areas of the head and limbs. Neurological evaluation suggested a concussion, though no formal diagnosis had been stated in the initial account. The incident underscored the volatility of on-site coverage and the risks journalists may encounter when reporting on controversial events.
A separate account from the same period notes that physical aggression toward reporters has occurred in other Moscow settings as well. A previous confrontation involved Pavel Lobkov, another journalist, indicating a pattern of hostility toward media professionals in high-stakes environments. The broader context includes concerns about safety for correspondents who cover sensitive topics, including events that attract public interest, political debate, or regulatory scrutiny. In this case, the combination of aggressive security responses and alleged intimidation by event organizers highlights the delicate balance between press freedom and the expectations of private event organizers who seek control over on-site documentation and public visibility. Grafchikova emphasized the importance of documenting incidents accurately while ensuring that the rights and safety of reporters are protected, particularly when faced with police or security personnel during coverage.