Police Probe Newspaper Over Illegal Use of Personal Data

Russian security forces raided the Moscow offices of the independent news website Novaya Gazeta on April 9, 2026.

Masked security service agents arrived at the newsroom around 12 pm to conduct a search as part of a criminal probe.

Official Justification for the Raid

Russia’s Interior Ministry confirmed that the search was part of a criminal investigation. The ministry stated the probe is focused on the illegal use, transfer or storage of information containing personal data.

The state news agency RIA also quoted law enforcement officials who linked the search of the office to an investigation into the illegal use of personal data.

Response from Novaya Gazeta

Novaya Gazeta reported the incident in a statement on Telegram, noting that the reason for the operation was unclarified at the time. The news site further stated that its lawyers were not allowed into the building during the search.