The newspaper Novaya Gazeta, considered a reference vehicle of independent press in Russia, announced the end of its operations in the country in November, citing censorship and pressure exerted by Russian authorities.
Sergei Sokolov, editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazeta, stated in a social media post that the newspaper would cease to exist, claiming that Russian authorities and special services forced the editorial office to stop its activities.
Known for its investigations into corruption, the newspaper, whose former editor-in-chief, Dmitry Muratov, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2021, informed that it will cease operations in Russia at the beginning of next month.
The publication's official portal detailed the decision, stating: «They killed us. On November 9th, we will turn off the light in our home, where we have lived for 30 years. We will shut down the servers and leave. The newspaper no longer exists. Russian authorities and secret services forced the editorial office to stop working».
In 2022, Russian authorities had confiscated the newspaper's license to publish content in both print and online formats.
Team members who remained working to sustain a similar portal abroad reported that after more than three decades of operating alongside the Russian people, they were forced out without means of subsistence and under constant threat of repression.
The newspaper emphasized that while they experienced years of creativity and hope, these periods were also bitter, as during the current regime—and not in the 90s marked by the mafia—several colleagues were murdered for fulfilling their professional and civic duty.
In addition to the expulsion of the headquarters, Russian authorities deactivated the donation system intended to receive contributions from readers.
The editorial office denounced this as a coordinated action by agents of the Federal Security Service (FSB) who infiltrated all organizations, completely depriving them of resources.
Novaya Gazeta accused the Russian Government of reinstating censorship, blocking publications in all media, seizing the printing house, and preventing any possibility of dissemination.
The editorial note added that Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dmitry Muratov suffered attacks, even nearly going blind, without criminal charges being brought, despite knowing who was responsible. Furthermore, its journalists began to be labeled as 'foreign agents.'
According to Novaya Gazeta, the government pressure reflects the process of annihilation of a country and its society. The publication alleged that this situation is orchestrated by the FSB, the Ministry of Justice, the Prosecutor's Office, and others who privatized the State and usurped power, transforming it into a 'military dictatorship.'
Finally, the newspaper criticized the claim of defending constitutional order, arguing that it is an unconstitutional order, given that the Constitution has been violated, attacked, and silenced.
