Novaya Gazeta plans to end its operations and shut its servers Nov. 9, Editor-in-Chief Sergei Sokolov said, setting a date for the end of online publication.
“Novaya Gazeta is ceasing to exist,” Sokolov said in a statement posted on YouTube. He blamed Russian authorities and “Russian special services” for forcing the editorial team to stop working; the paper will shut its servers and leave its home Nov. 9.
EconoTimes earlier reported on the order for the newsroom to leave its Moscow office by Nov. 9.
France 24 described the closure amid wider pressure on independent journalism in Russia and reported that many independent journalists had gone into exile. The outlet also reported that journalist Oleg Roldugin was detained in April and charged with unlawful access to computerized information. RIA reported that Roldugin pleaded not guilty. Novaya Gazeta said he was awaiting trial under house arrest through Nov. 10.
