Russian Journalist Arrested on Drug Charges; Ribs Broken by Moscow Police, he claims

Moscow (dpa) - Three of Russia's most popular newspapers united on Monday in support of journalist Ivan Golunov, who has been arrested on a questionable drug charge.

The newspapers Vedomosti, Kommersant and RBC each published in large type on their cover page the phrase "I am/We are Ivan Golunov," accompanied by editorials calling for inquiries into the case.

Golunov, arrested last week, is best known for writing hard-hitting investigative pieces about the Moscow city government for the widely read independent news site Meduza.

Authorities allege that Golunov, 36, was found in possession of the synthetic stimulant mephedrone, commonly known as bath salts. He faces a charge punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

In a report on the case, Meduza alleged that the journalist had been framed and beaten by police.

"Golunov was examined by an ambulance team that determined he had a concussion, a hematoma and potentially broken ribs," it said.

A test of the suspect did not reveal any trace of an illegal drug, state media reported, citing a senior official from Russia's Health Ministry.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman said the Kremlin was closely monitoring the case.

"This specific case has raised some questions, many questions," spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, in comments carried by state news agency TASS.