On 26 November 2024 a Russian court in East Siberian city Chita (Чита), Russia sentenced the 32 years old journalist Nika Novak (Ника Новак) to four years in prison for “confidential cooperation with a foreign organization.” The case was conducted behind closed doors under strict secrecy, with limited information made public. Novak’s conviction is the first under Article 275.1 of Russia’s criminal code, a law introduced in 2022 to penalize collaborations deemed damaging to state security.
The charges stem from Novak’s alleged collaboration with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL – https://www.rferl.org/), banned as “undesirable” in Russia. Authorities accused her of aiding the preparation of materials discrediting the Russian military and government. Novak was detained in December 2023 after police searched her home in Chita, seizing electronic devices. She was later transferred to Moscow’s Lefortovo prison, known for holding state security-related detainees, before her trial in Chita.
Novak, a former RFE/RL contributor, has a distinguished career in journalism, having worked for various regional outlets including in the past also freelancing for Sibir.Realii (https://www.sibreal.org/). She was also known for her anti-war stance and criticism of Russian censorship following the invasion of Ukraine. In 2022 when the full-scale war between Russia and Ukraine began, Novak put the phrase Russian attack on her Facebook page. Despite the risks, she chose to remain in Russia, a decision that her family believes stemmed from her commitment to reporting. Since 2021 she has been running additional to her journalism work the Chita cultural center Gifted and as journalists she worked as a freelancher. After Novak’s arrest, the Gifted center was accused by politicians of supporting pro-Western views, LGBT movement, and criticism of the Russian military action in Ukraine.
Novak’s appeal is anticipated, but her sentencing has drawn widespread criticism, serving as a stark reminder of the escalating risks faced by independent reporters in Russia.
The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) condemns the sentencing of Russian journalist Nika Novak to four years in prison under opaque and politically charged allegations of “confidential cooperation with a foreign organization.” This verdict is a clear attempt to suppress independent journalism and stifle dissent in Russia. SEEMO considers this case a grave violation of press freedom and human rights, and we urge Russian authorities to release Novak immediately. SEEMO will continue to closely monitor this case and advocate for the protection of journalists and free expression in the region.
South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) is a regional non-governmental, non profit network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in Southeast, South, East and Central Europe. SEEMO members are in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova (with the territory of Transdnestria), Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye / Turkey, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Austria, Italy, Vatican and San Marino have a special status in SEEMO. SEEMO has over 3000 individual members, and additional media as corporate members.
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