A card for journalist Andrey Karaulov appeared on the publishable list in the Ministry of Internal Affairs registry. It states that the journalist was born on September 10, 1958, in Korolev near Moscow, but no special markings or photographs were attached to the article of the Criminal Code that led to the search.
In a report with socialbites.ca, Karaulov said he was still receiving treatment in Dubai.
“Ask the Home Office what they’re up to. They know exactly where I am. All medical documents are on the table. Ask what they’re pursuing. I’m awaiting the surgery. They told me to lose 10 kilos, I’ve already shed 5 kilos,” he stated.
Karaulov noted that he learned about the wanted list from his wife.
“Today my wife mentioned it. But not in a questioning way, be careful. I urge you to visit KaraulovLIFE, read everything there, and slander if needed. If you find slander, I’ll offer a bottle of cognac for you. It’s not about the texts. Again: all the medical addresses I’ve visited today—why are they looking for me?”
In a discussion with RTVI, Karaulov argued that putting him on a federal wanted list was absurd. “I am in witness status and even on the federal, not the regional, wanted list. Is that beneficial? The situation has spiraled out of control. Investigators have already told me I could face five years in prison.”
“The case was opened under a slander article at the request of the head of Rostec, Sergey Viktorovich Chemezov. When I learned this, I returned to Moscow and paused my vacation. He was questioned twice. They shook my hand and said, ‘Thanks, we don’t need you anymore.’”
He added that he did not like the texts published on his Telegram channel.
Conflict between shepherd dogs and the parrot Savely
On November 3, a search was conducted at Karaulov’s home in Naro-Fominsk. The journalist contends that the statement against him was written by the head of Rostec, Sergey Chemezov, under the slander article of the Criminal Code. Karaulov views this as a continuation of a recent public dispute involving a television personality.
Kirill Sukhanov, the commercial director associated with a prominent public figure, was detained at the end of October on charges of pressuring Chemezov. Investigators allege that money was demanded from Rostec’s representatives to refrain from publishing information that could discredit him on a prominent social channel. The public figure mentioned is not a suspect in the case. A later apology was issued to Chemezov.
As noted by Karaulov, more than a dozen armed officers and members of the anti-extremism department of the interior ministry participated in the search, with a police captain and investigator leading the operation. Reports say doors were attempted to be cut with a grinder during the search.
There were also accounts of an incident involving the service dogs used for scent work during the search at the residence.
According to Karaulov, Russian law does not authorize a search of a witness’s home. He stated that he was not clearly informed about the new status of the case, and later an inspector acknowledged this.
According to the Russian Criminal Procedure Code, when a person is not present during a search, adult family members, a defense attorney, or a solicitor may attend. The article clarifies the procedures for searches in such situations.
“I went beyond, so-called journalism”
Karaulov’s involvement in the Rostec case was reported by a major outlet, which described the journalist as having stepped beyond professional ethics and engaging in journalism that harmed Chemezov’s reputation. The publication noted that real journalism involves verifying facts with multiple sources and seeking formal comments from the company for clarifications.
Rostec indicated that it had asked law enforcement to assess Karaulov’s activities, citing a rise in publications containing unverified information.