Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has defended a police raid on the home of a filmmaker working on a documentary about modern Russian politics and political protest.

Speaking in an interview with a group of broadcasters Friday, Mr. Medvedev said the police who conducted the raid on the home of Pavel Kostomarov earlier that morning must have had their reasons for showing up unannounced for an early morning search.

Mr. Medvedev said if the acclaimed cinematographer feels his rights have been violated, he can file a complaint.

The prime minister's questioner was Alexei Pivovarov, an announcer with state-controlled NTV, who also collaborates on projects with the filmmaker.

Kostomarov and Pivovarov had been working together on a film called The Term, which includes footage from anti-government rallies that have taken place in Russia since Vladimir Putin's controversial election to a third term as president earlier this year.