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May 21, 2025 – Russia –
Russian authorities have opened a criminal case against Galina Timchenko, co-founder and CEO of the independent Latvia-based news outlet Meduza, accusing her of involvement with an “undesirable organization” and publishing content designed to provoke protest. The charges, announced on May 20, 2025, are part of an ongoing campaign by the Kremlin to suppress dissent and silence voices critical of the war in Ukraine.
Timchenko has lived in exile since 2014, when she launched Meduza after being dismissed from her post at a Russian media outlet under government pressure. In 2023, Russia declared Meduza an “undesirable organization,” a designation that criminalizes its operations in the country and penalizes anyone associated with it. Russian authorities claim Timchenko continued to manage and finance Meduza’s activities, despite the legal ban.
Meduza has been one of the few independent Russian news sources consistently reporting on the war in Ukraine and other sensitive issues. The outlet operates from Latvia to evade Russian censorship and repression. Following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia enacted harsh laws penalizing any speech perceived to discredit the military, leading to widespread crackdowns on journalists, activists, and independent media.
Timchenko’s case is viewed internationally as part of a broader authoritarian trend. Press freedom groups, including the International and European Federations of Journalists, have condemned the move as an escalation of cross-border intimidation. They warn that such charges set a dangerous precedent for targeting exiled journalists who continue reporting on Russian affairs from abroad.
Despite being based outside Russia, Meduza’s staff and contributors remain vulnerable to legal threats, surveillance, and personal risk. The case against Timchenko highlights how the Russian government is extending its reach to intimidate and control journalism beyond its borders.
Timchenko, who was named among Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2024, has not publicly commented on the charges. However, Meduza has reaffirmed its commitment to independent journalism and vowed to continue its reporting in defiance of state repression. The case underscores the increasingly dangerous climate for Russian journalists and the growing effort to eliminate independent voices at home and abroad.
Reference –
https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/21/media/russia-criminal-case-journalist-timchenko-intl
