Editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazeta detained for ‘discrediting’ the Russian army 

Novaya Gazeta editor-in-chief Sergey Sokolov has been detained in Moscow on suspicion of “discrediting” the Russian army, Novaya Gazeta reported on Thursday.

Sokolov’s detention is reportedly due to coverage of the Russian army in a Novaya Gazeta article, though the specific article it relates to is unknown. It is not known where Sokolov is being held. If found guilty, he faces a fine of up to 50,000 rubles (€500).

Sokolov is a highly experienced Novaya Gazeta journalist and was the newspaper’s deputy editor prior to becoming editor-in-chief last year, following veteran editor-in-chief Dmitry Muratov’s decision to step down while he challenged his “foreign agent” status in the courts.

While much of Novaya Gazeta’s staff left Russia in March 2022 to establish Novaya Gazeta Europe in Latvia, Sokolov continued to work for Novaya Gazeta in Russia. Novaya Gazeta’s website was blocked in Russia in November 2022, and its media license was revoked in February 2023.