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November 26, 2024 – Russia –
Russian authorities sentenced journalist Nika Novak, a former ChitaMedia editor and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) contributor, to 4 years in prison under Article 275.1 of the Russian Criminal Code. The charge: “cooperating with a foreign organization,” a vaguely defined offense used to target independent reporters.
Novak was arrested on December 25, 2023, following a Federal Security Service (FSB) raid on her Moscow apartment. Held in custody until February, she was eventually tried in Chita. The proceedings were held behind closed doors, and the court found her guilty of publishing “inaccurate materials” that allegedly tarnished the reputation of the Russian military—a prosecution widely considered politically driven.
International press freedom groups swiftly denounced the verdict. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called the punishment “a relentless, silent crackdown on journalists,” urging Novak’s immediate release. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the International Press Institute (IPI) echoed the condemnation. RFE/RL’s leadership labeled the charges “unjust” and emphasized the damaging real-world consequences for independent journalism in Russia.
Notably, Novak is the first journalist convicted under this 2022 law targeting “undermining national security” through foreign channels. Article 275.1 has been criticized for its broad scope, enabling authorities to punish any engagement with foreign media or NGOs—even benign activities—as espionage.
During a March 2025 appeal hearing, Novak was transferred to solitary confinement and saw approximately 500,000 rubles in her bank accounts confiscated, further illustrating the punitive nature of the case. Russia’s human rights organization Memorial has classified Novak as a political prisoner, a designation that highlights both the political motivations behind the prosecution and the broader context of media repression in Russia.
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Russian journalist Nika Novak sentenced to 4 years in prison
