A man leaves the editorial office of Novaya Gazeta in Moscow, January 26, 2009. (AP/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
A man leaves the editorial office of Novaya Gazeta in Moscow, January 26, 2009. (AP/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta receives white powder in mail

New York, April 19, 2017–The independent Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta received an envelope containing an unidentified white powder this morning, the newspaper reported. The envelope’s only return address was “Grozny,” the capital of Chechnya, where preachers and political officials have recently threatened the newspaper for reporting on the alleged torture and detention of men suspected of homosexuality. The Committee to Protect Journalists called on Russian authorities to swiftly bring to justice those responsible for the threat.

“The continuing threats against Novaya Gazeta and its journalists require immediate attention and action from both Russia’s federal security agencies and the Kremlin,” CPJ Europe and Central Asia Program Coordinator Nina Ognianova said. “We call on Russian security agencies to do everything possible catch and punish those responsible for this sickening campaign to silence a brave, independent newspaper.”