Russian authorities detained Sergei Sokolov, the editor-in-chief of the independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta, on Thursday and took him for questioning after officers searched his home, the publication has confirmed.
The detention marks the latest pressure on one of Russia's few remaining independent news outlets, which has continued to publish despite repeated official warnings and legal action since Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Novaya Gazeta did not immediately disclose the grounds for the search or the questioning, and there was no immediate comment from Russian law enforcement. The newspaper has a long history of investigative reporting and has faced sustained official scrutiny in recent years.
The outlet suspended its online and print operations inside Russia in March 2022 after authorities issued warnings over its coverage of the war. It later resumed publishing from abroad, with Sokolov continuing to lead its editorial operations.
Several of its journalists have left Russia, while others have faced criminal proceedings. The newspaper's Nobel Peace Prize, awarded in 2021 to its then editor-in-chief Dmitry Muratov, brought international attention to its work. Muratov later left Russia after being designated a foreign agent.
Thursday's detention of Sokolov follows a pattern of searches and legal pressure against independent journalists and media workers in Russia. Authorities have repeatedly used foreign agent designations, criminal cases and administrative penalties to restrict reporting that falls outside official narratives.
Press freedom organisations have documented a sharp decline in Russia's media environment since 2022, with independent outlets either closing, relocating abroad or operating under heavy restrictions. Novaya Gazeta has continued to publish online from outside the country, reaching readers inside Russia through digital channels.
The circumstances surrounding Sokolov's detention remain unclear, including whether he faces any formal charges. Novaya Gazeta said it was monitoring the situation and would provide further information as it becomes available.
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