NTV journalists in Volgograd were released upon a verdict of the court

The magistrate's court of the Central district of Volgograd eliminated administrative proceedings according to clause "disorderly conduct" against Andrey Sukhanov, NTV correspondent, detained together with a cameraman of the TV channel while shooting a report about pigs' African plague in the region, a representative of Chief Directorate of the Ministry of Interior Affairs in Volgograd region reported.

Officials of regional veterinary committee explained that because of pigs' African plague the whole territory of the region, including Volgograd, was declared the second threatened area where tight restrictions were enacted, in particular, free pigs' traffic, purchase and sales were prohibited.

A representative of Chief Directorate of the Ministry of Interior Affairs of Russia in the region reported that the magistrate found no element of offence in the journalists' actions, RIA "Novosti" reported.

"The magistrate decided to eliminate proceedings of administrative delinquency against the representatives of NTV channel. They were released", Svetlana Smolyaninova, representative of Chief Directorate of the Ministry of Interior Affairs of Russia in the region, reported adding that the police acted within legal boundaries upon the statement of regional veterinary committee.

"In their statement they (employees of veterinary committee) reported that the journalists violated public order and hampered their work", "Interfax" quotes Smolyaninova.