Aleksandr Savelev

On 30 July 2019, in Ust-Labinsk, southern Russia, Savelev’s parents’ home was searched, during which it emerged that a case had been opened against him for involvement in an undesirable organisation due to his work with the "MBKh Media" portal. On the same day, searches took place in Krasnodar at the homes of Marina and Leonid Zaprudin, witnesses in this criminal case, as well as at the building housing the "Environmental Watch on the North Caucasus" — where Savelev was at the time. This search involved the use of force: activist Andrei Rudomakha of "EcoWatch" was thrown to the floor and sprayed in the face with pepper spray. Witnesses went through the house looking for phones and flash drives, which were then handed to the investigator. Lawyer Aleksei Avanesyan, who arrived on the scene, was not allowed into the house. After the search, Savelev was taken for questioning by the Investigative Committee and then released.

On the same day, almost simultaneously with the start of the search, an anonymous Telegram channel, "Kuban Central", published a link to a text titled "Opposition Figures: Aleksandr Savelev". The text began by noting that Aleksandr Savelev had become the subject of a criminal case (at that time, probably known only to law enforcement). The anonymous author mentioned Savelev’s cooperation with "EcoWatch" and accused him of pedophilia, drug use, working for the American Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and for the "Russophobic" Polish channel "Belsat" 'to make easy and quick money'.

The following day, Savelev noticed he was being followed.

On 24 December, it became known that the criminal case had been closed. Investigators concluded that Savelev ceased participating in the undesirable organisation. No charges were filed against him. The journalist himself stated that he has never been a member of an "undesirable organisation".

On 15 October 2021, it was reported that the case had been reopened in connection with an interview Savelev conducted with Yana Antonova, the former coordinator of "Open Russia" in Krasnodar Region, who has been convicted under a similar case.

In December 2025, it became known that Savelev had been declared wanted; the details of the case are unknown.