Moscow, July 11 (RFE/RL) -- Russian prosecutors raided Russian media mogul Vladimir Gusinsky's independent Media-Most group offices again today. The group's lawyer says members of the prosecutor's staff and federal
security service officers seized financial documents and the personal files
of Media-Most's leadership.
The lawyer, Pavel Astachov said in Moscow that the raid clearly was
politically motivated. He said, "I think no one now has any doubt that this
campaign is directed against the mass media, since today began with a
search and seizure of NTV."
NTV is one of Media-Most's companies. Western news reports say the officials also searched the Gazprom state monopoly, which owns part of the television station.
Media-Most's outlets often criticize the Kremlin. The group has been targeted for a series of official investigations on grounds ranging from suspected breach of privacy to embezzlement.
Prosecutors and the Kremlin deny any political motives behind the moves.
NTV is one of Media-Most's companies. Western news reports say the officials also searched the Gazprom state monopoly, which owns part of the television station.
Media-Most's outlets often criticize the Kremlin. The group has been targeted for a series of official investigations on grounds ranging from suspected breach of privacy to embezzlement.
Prosecutors and the Kremlin deny any political motives behind the moves.