Odesa police searches the Dumska's editorial office

Photo: screenshot from the video by the Dumska

The Odesa media outlet "Dumska" reports that their editorial office was searched by employees of the Security Service of Ukraine and the police.

"It remains unclear part of what proceedings these investigative actions are," the newspaper writes.

Employees of the media are being prevented from working.

In a comment to the "Dumska", the Odesa Oblast police press office assured them that the searches had nothing to do with the media outlet's work and that the law enforcers would not interfere with the journalists' activities. They said that the journalists may go back to their workplaces and even record what is happening, but without making the information public.

According to the Odesa oblast National Police, law enforcers are conducting a court-authorized investigation in the premises of a local media outlet.

Searches are conducted as part of criminal proceedings (initiated under Part 4 of Article 190, Part 3 of Article 28, Part 3 of Article 358, Part 3 of Article 28, Part 4 of Article 358, Part 2 of Article 364, Part 3 of Article 362, Part 3 of Article 28, Part 2 of Article 366, Part 3 of Article 209, Part 2 of Article 15, Part 2 of Article 209 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

"Policemen are not seizing the editorial equipment and are not interfering with the work of the mass media in any way. The media workers may continue their journalistic activities," the message says.

As of 1:11 p.m, the publication has reported that editorial staff were allowed to return to their workplaces. The investigative actions at the "Dumska" office continue.