An attack on Sergei Kanev, the correspondent of the investigative section of Novaya Gazeta, was made at about 11:30 p.m. on 31 August. 

Late in the evening Sergei had had a meeting with a source of information, who passed him the materials regarding one of the high ranking officials from the law enforcing bodies (that was a video cassette, photos and a compact disc). 

By coincidence, when Sergei entered the block of flats, two unknown men followed him into. One of them, looking sporty and wearing a black jacket and dark blue jeans, grasped at the Sergei’s bag, while the other tried to strangle him from behind. Our correspondent offered resistance, but still the bag was taken away, after which the attackers disappeared. After Sergei came to his senses, he applied to the police. The hot pursuit was of no effect, though.    

This attack might have been common robbery or an attempt of hindering the journalist from doing his job. Before that, Sergei received threats related to publication of a few materials about a false special services general protected by real law enforcers.

The editorial board has applied to Moscow interior department and prosecutor’s office with a request of taking under their control the investigation of this incident.