Support The Moscow Times!

Russian Independent News Site Shuts Down After Editor’s Self-Immolation Death

Irina Slavina was editor-in-chief of Koza Press in Nizhny Novgorod. Mikhail Solunin / TASS

An independent Russian news website has shut down four months after its editor died from setting herself on fire outside the city of Nizhny Novgorod’s police headquarters.

Irina Slavina, editor-in-chief of Koza Press, died on Oct. 2, the day after security forces raided her home in search of evidence of her ties to the opposition. In her final social media post she wrote: “Blame the Russian Federation for my death.”

Koza Press, the outlet she founded and ran, will now be shut down, Slavina’s daughter Margarita Murakhtaeva wrote Wednesday in a Facebook post.

“It isn’t an easy decision, but I believe it’s the only correct one: to let go of Koza. I know that my decision will come as a complete surprise to many,” wrote Murakhtaeva, who had taken over as editor following her mother’s death by suicide.

“I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who supported Koza during these very difficult four months,” she added.

Koza Press covered local politics and corruption in Nizhny Novgorod, a city 400 kilometers east of Moscow. Prior to her death, Slavina had run the outlet single-handedly.

Slavina’s death provoked an outpouring of sympathy from fellow journalists as well as condemnation of the authorities. She was hailed as a “fearlessly critical” reporter whose death was described by one former colleague as “the highest act of self-sacrifice,” aimed at bringing attention to the authorities’ treatment of independent journalists.

Russian investigators have rejected calls from activists and journalists to open a criminal investigation into the circumstances leading up to her death.

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter

Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysiss and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview
Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy

A Message from The Moscow Times:

Dear readers,

We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."

These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.

By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.

Once
Monthly
Annual
Continue
paiment methods
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.

Read more