Russia Seizes Assets Managed By Nobel-Winning Journalist

Russian President Vladimir Putin has placed publishing assets controlled by Nobel Prize-winning Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov under temporary state management, according to a recently issued presidential decree.

Norwegian publisher Amedia relinquished full control of its wholly-owned Russian printing houses to Muratov, a veteran editor and co-laureate of the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize, in April 2022. I Photo: Nargiz Shekinskaya UN News

Norwegian publisher Amedia relinquished full control of its wholly-owned Russian printing houses to Muratov, a veteran editor and co-laureate of the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize, in April 2022.

Amedia cited Russia's actions in Ukraine as the reason for its inability to continue the printing business in Russia.

Putin has signed decrees assuming temporary control of assets belonging to four Western companies in Russia so far this year, including appointing the nephew of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov to oversee the subsidiary of French yogurt maker Danone in July.

Amedia's former assets in Russia still bear the company's name, and the decree listed printing houses in five cities whose management has been transferred to the Federal Property Management Agency, Rosimushchestvo.

Muratov is currently attempting to challenge his designation as a "foreign agent" by the authorities in Russia, as reported by Novaya Gazeta, the newspaper he edits.

Previously, Novaya Gazeta used Amedia's printing houses, but the newspaper suspended publication in Russia in 2022 in response to legislation that imposed severe penalties for discrediting the Russian military.

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