Prominent Russian newspaper shuts down under pressure from authorities

Novaya Gazeta itself and its staff had been facing a multitude of problems.

The authorities had already revoked the newspaper's licence and blocked access to its website. Several of its journalists and contributors had been designated "foreign agents", a label often used by the Russian authorities to punish critics.

Earlier this year there was a police search of the editorial office. A veteran investigative journalist, Oleg Roldugin, was arrested and charged with "unlawful access to computerised information".

In connection with the case, the newspaper's editor-in-chief, Sergei Sokolov, was recently taken in for police questioning and his home was searched.

Despite increasing pressure, Novaya Gazeta had managed to continue operating, albeit in a reduced form.