Moscow Court Sentences Exiled Journalist Kirill Martynov to Six Years for Undesirable Group Involvement

A Moscow court has handed down a six-year prison sentence in absentia to exiled Russian journalist Kirill Martynov for his association with an “undesirable” organization, specifically Novaya Gazeta Europe, where he holds the position of editor-in-chief, as reported on Tuesday.

Martynov is a co-founder of Novaya Gazeta Europe, which is based in Latvia, as well as the independent online platform Free University. In 2023, Russian authorities classified both entities as “undesirable.”

The designation of “undesirable” prevents these organizations from functioning within Russia, criminalizes any cooperation with them, and exposes their personnel to potential legal action.

Last year, Russian investigators initiated criminal proceedings against Martynov, though it remains unclear whether these charges are related to one or both of the organizations he is affiliated with.

On Tuesday, the Basmanny District Court in Moscow convicted him of orchestrating the activities of an “undesirable” entity, imposing a six-year sentence that would take effect should he be extradited or return to Russia. Prosecutors had sought a seven-year penalty.

Martynov has pledged to contest the ruling, according to Novaya Gazeta Europe.

Russia enacted its «undesirable» organizations law in 2015 to target foreign NGOs, but its application has since broadened to include independent media, human rights organizations, environmental activists, and academic institutions.

The Moscow Times was designated as an “undesirable” organization in July of last year.