Following unscheduled inspections, Moscow district attorney lets independent TV station off with a warning

The Moscow district attorney's office has released a summary of its inspection of Dozhd TV, one of Russia's only independent television channels. Police say they discovered minor violations of labor laws, occupational safety, and fire safety. This report likely comes as a relief to the station, considering the initial reports that Dozhd was being investigated for the far more serious crime of extremism.

According to the district attorney's spokeswoman, Yelena Rossokhina, the violations are not extremely serious and will be handled in accordance with standard procedures.

Dozhd was notified early last week about the inspection, which was prompted by an anonymous citizen's appeal to police. The subject of the complaint was noncompliance with laws against extremism and terrorism, as well as regulations on labor codes and public safety.

Prosecutors demanded access to Dozhd's editorial office and equipment, as well as copies of the station's lease and employment contracts. According to the channel's general director, Natalia Sindeyeva, a tax inspection is also imminent.

• On December 1, the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), a civic group headed by Alexey Navalny, published an investigation and documentary film about the business affairs of Attorney General Yuri Chaika and his family. The investigation cites the involvement of the his son, Artem Chaika, in illegal seizures of assets, as well as the connections of a top official's ex-wife with the wives of known mobsters. Dozhd assisted FBK in the early stages of producing the film.