Sergei Sokolov, the editor-in-chief of independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta, has been fined by a Russian court in Moscow over allegations of discrediting the Russian armed forces. Sokolov was ordered to pay a fine of 30,000 rubles (approximately 329 USD) by the Perovsky District Court in Moscow. The charges stem from a Novaya Gazeta article published in December, which delved into the recruitment of Russian orphans for military service during the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Sokolov was detained by officers from Russia’s Center for Combating Extremism on February 29. The specifics surrounding the accusations of his alleged discrediting of the military were not revealed during the court proceedings. However, the official Telegram channel for Moscow’s court system identified linguistic and psychological elements within the article as harmful to the actions of the authorities.
Renowned for its critical evaluation of Russian government affairs, the Novaya Gazeta has faced considerable pressure in the past. In September 2023, Sokolov assumed leadership of its newsroom after Dmitry Muratov, the previous editor-in-chief, stepped down following his designation as a “foreign agent” by Russian authorities. The paper was also forced to suspend operations in March 2022 amid rising tensions in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Despite legal obstacles and license revocations, the publication has continued its operations online.
The fine imposed on Sokolov has triggered international concern, particularly from journalism advocacy organizations. Reporters Without Borders, for example, condemned Sokolov’s arrest, labeling it another instance of the rising censorship in Russia and underlining the importance of upholding press freedom.
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