Russian journalist detained in Istanbul officially released

Russian journalist Arkady Babchenko, who was detained in Istanbul on Friday, was released from custody, Consul of the Russian General Consulate in Istanbul Nikolai Kuzovenko told Itar-Tass on Saturday. “At the present moment of time Arkady Babchenko is on the way back to the police station to take his belongings. No criminal case was opened against him, no decision was taken to deport him from the country,” he said, explaining that the journalist will continue to stay in Turkey without any sanctions from the Turkish authorities. On Saturday afternoon, Babchenko will come to the Russian General Consulate and will return to the homeland in a few days.