Overview
- Novaya Gazeta said masked officers searched its Moscow newsroom Thursday as lawyers were blocked from entering the building.
- Russia’s Interior Ministry confirmed a criminal probe into the illegal use, transfer or storage of personal data tied to news content.
- The ministry said a group used personal details in articles and online posts that painted a negative picture of Russians.
- A police spokesperson told Interfax that employees of the paper are under investigation, though the ministry’s release did not name the outlet.
- In a separate decision Thursday, Russia’s Supreme Court labeled the rights group Memorial extremist, a step that allows prosecutions of supporters and signals a further squeeze on independent media since 2022.