Police detained Golunov on Thursday after finding five packets of a powdery substance in his possession, which later tests found to be mephedrone. The Russian Interior Ministry said on Friday that police found cocaine in Golunov’s Moscow flat. Golunov maintains that the drugs were planted.
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"To choose a measure of restraint in the form of house arrest", the judge said.
Under the ruling, Golunov remain under house arrest until 7 August.
The journalist was set free in the courtroom.
"I'm ready to prove my innocence. I am ready to cooperate with the investigation if it plays by fair rules", he said, addressing the judge.
Chairman of the Russian Presidential Council for Civil Society and Human Rights, Mikhail Fedotov, said that Golunov, famous for his investigations into corruption cases, might have been detained due to his journalistic work.
Both the head of the Moscow Police Oleg Baranov and Moscow Ombudswoman Tatyana Potyayeva have said they will closely monitor Golunov's case.
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