Alina Dzhikayeva, the editor-in-chief of the Vladikavkaz-based media outlet Sapa Media, has been charged with bribery. During questioning, she denied her guilt.

Meanwhile, a police officer from Makhachkala, accused of abuse of office and bribery, will soon be placed on pretrial detention. Unlike the editor-in-chief, he confessed to the Moscow Investigative Committee.

The incident began with a search of the Sapa Media office on April 14, after which Dzhikayeva was detained at her home.

In addition to her, several editorial staff members were brought in for questioning, as well as the accused duty officer of the Makhachkala Department of Internal Affairs. Investigative authorities believe that Dzhikaeva, while in Moscow since July 2020, conspired with a police officer to obtain information about incidents in Dagestan and North Ossetia, which included personal data of citizens, for which a bribe was allegedly paid.