A Moscow district court has fined several Russian media outlets for associating Oscar-winning Russian filmmaker Nikita Mikhalkov with a diamond company accused of illegal practices, a news report said Tuesday.
Forbes Russia, Ria Novosti and TV Center, among others, were hit with a total fine of 400,000 rubles ($11,500) for the portrayal of Mikhalkov as the owner of Dundela Limited and the misuse of his image to accompany news about the case, Rapsi news agency reported Tuesday.
Diamond firm Dundela Limited was accused in November 2013 of not having the necessary license to sell diamonds in Russia and not registering with the authorities.
Though Mikhalkov owns a 10-percent stake in the company, he did not know its managers and never visited its offices, Mikhalkov's press service said.
See also:
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
