The Russian independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta reports on its website that contact with Sokolov has been lost and that his phones have been “disconnected.” Russian authorities are also reportedly searching the editor-in-chief’s home.
Sergei Sokolov is a respected journalist and long-time employee of Novaya Gazeta. He succeeded journalist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dmitry Muratov as editor-in-chief.
Sokolov was arrested on Thursday. The operation is being conducted by Sledkom (Russia’s Investigative Committee), the country’s powerful federal investigative agency.
Sokolov has previously been arrested in Russia and accused of “undermining the Russian army.”
Novaya Gazeta has previously been labeled a “foreign agent.” Since March 2022, the publication has operated primarily from Latvia, but editor-in-chief Sokolov has chosen to live in Russia.
Dmitry Muratov has also been labeled a “foreign agent.”
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the introduction of repressive laws have severely restricted independent journalism in the country.
Correction: Updated to clarify that Sokolov has been labeled a foreign agent.
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