MOSCOW, April 6 (Itar-Tass) —— A journalist of investigative Novaya Gazeta newspaper was beaten up and robbed in Moscow region and police said on Thursday it launched a criminal investigation.

Journalist Yelena Milashina said in Facebook she and her female friend were attacked by two men near the town of Balashikha who beat them up and seized her bag with a notebook computer.

Moscow regional police spokesman Yevgeny Gildeyev said the attack was reported close to 04:00 hours on Thursday. The criminal case was instituted in connection with robbery.