Nobel Prize-winning journalist Dmitry Muratov to step down as Novaya Gazeta editor-in-chief while appealing 'foreign agent' designation

Novaya Gazeta editor-in-chief and 2021 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dmitry Muratov plans to mount a legal challenge against the Russian Justice Ministry, which added him to its “foreign agents” list on September 1. The news appeared in Novaya Gazeta’s newsletter, which was shared on Telegram Monday by journalist Arina Borodina.

The newspaper also said Muratov will temporarily suspend his duties as editor-in-chief while the legal proceedings are underway. Sergei Sokolov will serve as acting editor-in-chief. “We don’t want to get used to putting idiotic notices on our website,” its journalists said, referring to the 24-word disclaimer that Russian law requires be posted on all content authored by “foreign agents.”

“Muratov has been declared a ‘foreign agent’ as an individual; the work of Novaya Gazeta’s editorial staff will not change. But at the first sign of a threat, we will end our financial partnership [with Muratov]. As for our human partnership, we’ll continue enjoying it,” read the outlet’s statement.