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December 01, 2025 – Russia –
Journalist Nika Novak, previously sentenced to four years in a Siberian prison for her work with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), has vanished from her penal colony — prompting urgent calls from press-freedom groups for authorities to reveal her whereabouts.
Novak was detained on December 25, 2023, after a raid by Russia’s security agents at her home in Chita. She was convicted in a closed-door trial under the country’s expanded “foreign cooperation” law, Article 275.1, which penalizes confidential contact with foreign organisations. On November 26, 2024, a court in Chita sentenced her to four years in prison — a landmark verdict that made her the first journalist convicted under this controversial law.
In March 2025, Novak was transferred to Penal Colony No. 11 in the village of Bozoy, Irkutsk region, a facility known for harsh conditions. There, she reportedly faced solitary confinement, repeated punishments for refusing mandatory labor, and – at times – protest hunger strikes over brutal detention conditions. According to her lawyer, on November 29, 2025, prison staff denied a scheduled visit, and communications directed to Novak began returning marked “recipient left the facility.”
Authorities have not confirmed whether Novak was transferred — and if so, to which location. The lack of transparency has triggered alarm among rights organisations. Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) demanded that Russian authorities immediately disclose Novak’s whereabouts and ensure her safety. Human Rights Watch and other press-freedom advocates have condemned her arrest and detention as politically motivated, arguing that the law under which she was convicted grants authorities overly broad power to silence dissenting voices.
Novak’s disappearance highlights the growing pattern of repression against independent journalism in Russia — especially targeting reporters working for foreign-affiliated outlets. Observers warn that her case could set a chilling precedent, deterring others from reporting critical stories for fear of indefinite detention or disappearance under opaque legal and prison procedures.
Reference –
https://www.rferl.org/a/missing-journalist-nika-novak-disappears-siberian-prison/33610211.html
