Russia's last free newspaper 'Novaya Gazeta' closes as press freedom faces its swan song

Independent Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta has announced it is ceasing operations. Editor-in-chief Sergei Sokolov stated in a video that Russian special services forced the editorial team to end its work. According to Meduza (English), the decision to close was made during an editorial staff meeting on October 26, and the outlet officially announced its closure on the morning of October 30.

The newspaper's staff intends to shut down servers and vacate their office, which they have occupied for 29 to 30 years, on November 9.

The closure follows increased pressure from Russian authorities, including the designation of the newspaper as a foreign agent and the blocking of its websites. Free Malaysia Today reports that authorities recently searched the home of senior editor Sergei Sokolov and previously detained journalist Oleg Roldugin, who was charged with unlawful access to computer information. Le Monde English characterized the closure as an assassination of the emblematic free press resulting from a coordinated operation by the FSB.

The shutdown of the news outlet will also result in the closure of the Anna Politkovskaya museum, which is located in her former office. For over three decades, the newspaper founded by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dmitry Muratov has investigated human rights violations, state violence, and corruption.

Brief written by urgent.news from Le Monde English, Meduza (English), Free Malaysia Today — 3 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.