Russia has dropped all charges against an investigative reporter accused of drug dealing, after a massive public outcry over the case.

Axar.az reports citing BBC.

In a rare public show of support, Russian newspapers rallied around freelancer Ivan Golunov.

Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev admitted on Tuesday that Mr Golunov's guilt had "not been proven".

An internal inquiry was underway and the two arresting officers had been suspended, Mr Kolokoltsev said.

The decision came after "forensic, biological, fingerprinting and genetic tests," the interior minister added.

"He will be released from house arrest today, the charges have been dropped," he said.