In the Czech Republic, law enforcement officers detained and questioned two Russian propagandists, Vitalii Chashchukhin and Igor Dolmatov, who are linked to the "Rybary" project. After questioning, they were ordered to leave the country within three days.
This was reported by the Centre for Countering Disinformation.
The detention took place after journalists from the Czech outlet Seznam Zprávy spotted a Russian film crew in central Prague. During a conversation recorded by the journalists with a hidden camera, Chashchukhin confirmed that he works for Rybary. After the journalists introduced themselves, he left the scene.
During questioning by police, Chashchukhin and Dolmatov, according to the CCD, tried to convince officers that they work for the sanctioned Russian newspaper "zvestiya.
After receiving the order to leave the Czech Republic, Chashchukhin returned to Germany, where he has lived for more than ten years and holds a permanent residence permit. According to the Centre for Countering Disinformation, he regularly produces reports for Russian media from there.
Czech law enforcement officers also informed their German counterparts about Chashchukhin’s activities. German customs authorities and prosecutors are checking information about a possible breach of European Union sanctions by him.