# Russian Elections Expert Alexander Kynev Detained on Drug Charges After Criticizing Vote

https://mins.news/en/item/74503

- Meduza, 2026-09-25 19:49 UTC
- Politics
- Original: https://meduza.io/en/feature/2026/09/25/russian-elections-expert-alexander-kynev-stayed-in-the-country-to-keep-studying-its-politics-after-criticizing-the-latest-vote-he-was-arrested-on-drug-charges

> Several days after the State Duma elections, a Moscow court ordered political scientist Alexander Kynev detained on drug charges. Kynev had criticized the Kremlin over alleged election fraud and administrative pressure during voting. A prominent specialist on Russian regional politics, he tracked pressure on opposition groups and local elites as well as election fraud.