Russia orders arrest of journalist in first felony prosecution of an ‘undesirable’ media outlet’s editor-in-chief

A Moscow court has issued an arrest warrant in absentia for Novaya Gazeta Europe editor-in-chief Kirill Martynov on felony charges of leading the activities of an “undesirable organization” (in this case, his own newsroom and his work at the educational project Free University). The court ruled that Martynov should be jailed for two months, pending trial, once apprehended or extradited to Russian soil. 

“It’s a shame that what could have been a [civic] state has not only unleashed a war but also engages in shameful acts like staging these fake ‘warrants’ from Moscow. Novaya Gazeta Europe will keep going, which is far more important,” Martynov said on Wednesday in response to the ruling.

According to BBC Russia, the charges against Martynov appear to be Russia’s first felony prosecution of the head of an “undesirable” media outlet.