The Investigative Committee of Russia initiated criminal proceedings against the director of the newspaper “Novaya Gazeta-Europe” Kirill Martynov under the article on the organization of activities of an undesirable organization – the paper has been designated as such an organization in Russia. “RIA Novosti” and TASS reported about this at the same time, citing sources in the law enforcement agencies.

The news about the decision of the Investigative Committee was broadcast simultaneously by the RIA and TASS agencies.

The General Prosecutor’s Office of Russia recognized Novaya Gazeta Europe as an undesirable organization at the end of June 2023.

The General Prosecutor’s Office states in a statement that the organization BDR Novaya Gazeta-Europe “was founded by the Latvian journalist Kirill Martynov, who has Russian citizenship” and that its activities “involve former members of the editorial board of Novaya Gazeta, in which the its registration certificates for print and electronic media’.

Another reason for it to be declared “unwanted” was the fact that Novaya Gazeta Europe publishes material from organizations that in Russia have been given the same status or are considered extremist, such as FBK (Fighting Corruption Foundation) and Navalny’s staff. The General Prosecutor’s Office argues that, all these together, “constitute a threat to the foundations of the constitutional order” and “to the security of the state”.

The editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazeta Europe commented on the Prosecutor General’s decision, calling the Russian authorities “war criminals” and “bandits”, promising that the newspaper would continue its work.

So far no criminal charges have been brought against the heads of the “unwanted” media. The newspaper “Novaya Gazeta Europe” was founded after the start of the war in Ukraine by journalists of the newspaper Novaya Gazeta who had fled Russia.