Russia’s exiled oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky has launched a new media website after authorities blocked access to the site of his blacklisted pro-democracy NGO.
Russia's media watchdog Roskomnadzor blocked access to the website of the Open Russia NGO earlier this month “for inciting protests and destabilizing the domestic political situation.”
“I regret to announce that Open Russia’s editorial team is beginning work on a new project — MBKh Media,” Khodorkovsky wrote in a post on the new website on Wednesday.
Groups handed the “undesirable organization” label under a 2015 law are immediately banned in Russia and its employees face prison terms.
Khodorkovsky said that Open Russia was targeted after it promised to publicize all journalistic investigations into the members of the “organized criminal group” in the Kremlin.
Writing on MBKh Media, Khodorkovsky said that he would not let the blow go unanswered and promised to release an investigation on "a certain individual" in early 2018.
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.
Remind me later.
