Alexei Kostylev, the founder and former editor-in-chief of the pro-Kremlin news outlet Readovka, has been arrested by Russian police on allegations of fraud, specifically related to suspected fraudulent activities totaling at least 1 million rubles (approximately $13,000). Law enforcement sources reported that investigators are seeking a court order for Kostylev to be held in pre-trial detention for two months, and a court hearing was anticipated on the following Friday.

The article highlights the recent developments surrounding Kostylev's arrest, citing reports from the news agency RBC and the Telegram channel Russian Life, which notes his current role as editor-in-chief at Russian Life. However, neither outlet has divulged specific details regarding the nature of the fraud charges. This lack of information raises questions about the motivations behind the arrest, especially given Kostylev's ties to pro-Kremlin media.

Kostylev's Readovka, which started as a news channel back in 2011 on the social media platform VKontakte, has grown into a significant network focused on reporting regional news across Russia. His arrest could potentially have implications for the Kremlin-aligned media landscape and raises broader concerns regarding press freedom and the treatment of journalists in Russia amid ongoing scrutiny of dissenting voices within the country.