Russian Broadcaster Faces Probe For Airing RFE/RL

A Russian broadcaster in Siberia is reportedly under investigation for airing RFE/RL content in violation of its license terms.

According to the Interfax news agency, regional investigators in Tomsk Oblast have launched a criminal case against TV-1, a television and radio company, charging the broadcaster with making illegal profit through "unlawful business activities."

The investigators suspect TV-1 has received over $220,000 for airing RFE/RL radio programs from January 2004 to December 2007.

Media rights groups have accused Russian authorities of using arbitrary license checks to silence media outlets critical of the Kremlin.