The self-proclaimed new managers of Russia's only nationwide independent television network took over NTV, changing the security guards, sacking journalists who refused their authority and cutting off the morning news in mid-broadcast.
The new managers are led by American financier Mr Boris Jordan. He has told banks not to deal with the channel until he can move in as the station's head and complete a takeover by natural gas giant Gazprom.
Earlier a so-called commission on the transfer of property arrived shortly before dawn at NTV's offices to take control of the network, NTV correspondent MrAlexei Kondulukov said, speaking by telephone from inside the main television tower at Ostankino in northern Moscow.
Journalists who refuse NTV's new management gathered early today at the station.
The state-connected gas giant Gazprom is a major shareholder and creditor in NTV - voted from the station's management on April 3rd at a board meeting. Many of the independent network's employees consider this illegal.
NTV claims the Kremlin is behind the takeover of the station, which has provided Russians with some of the country's most critical coverage of the war in Chechnya as well as important corruption scandals and the deterioration of the country's living standards.
NTV is Russia's only nationwide network not controlled by the government.
PA