Daily Latvian Russian-language newspaper Telegraf announced on Friday that its new owner is AO News media group, Novo News reported Monday. The firm acquired the publication from its former Latvian owner, Valerijs Belokon.

AO News media group assured the paper's readers and journalists that it does not intend to “interfere with the politics” of the paper or to destroy its structure, reported Novo News on Monday. “We did not choose this newspaper accidentally; we choose it because we do consider it to be the most objective and professional source of information on the Latvian mass media market. We plan to develop the newspaper, come up with new plans and create satellite publications,” said ex-politician Janis Jurkans, head of the AO News Media Group Council.

Belokon said the title was sold because it requires further investment, according to Novo News. He added that when the paper was launched nearly seven years ago, he expected that it would be able to sustain itself.

Meanwhile, Bizness&Baltija reported Friday that Telegraf was sold to a "Cyprus-registered company, which possibly belongs to entrepreneurs from Ventspils who support the National Harmony Party." The company, Kinonon Holdings Limited, is backed by businessmen from the Ventspils region in Latvia, including millionaire Oleg Stepanov, an opponent of Ventspils Mayor Aivar Lambergs, Bizness&Baltija reported in an article posted by the Baltic Course.