The Russian journalist blames the government and sets himself on fire and dead

MOSCOW – A Russian journalist who edited an independent news website died Friday after setting himself on fire in front of police headquarters in the Nizhny Novgorod city, a day after investigators searched his home there.

Shortly before his defense, Irina Slavina, 47, founder and editor of the local news site Cosa Press, posted a message on Facebook. That: “I urge the Russian Federation to take responsibility for my death.”

Goat Publishing Confident She is dead. The local branch of the Investigation Commission is the equivalent of Russia’s FBI, Said in a statement The allegation that his death had nothing to do with the search for his residence was “unsubstantiated”. The report said the search was part of a criminal case in which Ms Slavina was considered a witness.

Ms. Slavina Said on Facebook Twelve people, including members of a special police unit, searched his apartment early Thursday morning. Kremlin critic Michael B. .

The search was conducted as part of a criminal case against local entrepreneur Mikhail Icelevich, whom authorities suspect is operating in conjunction with Open Russia, which is officially considered an “undesirable organization” in the country.

Ms Slavina’s death came against the backdrop of the dangers faced by journalists writing about subjects that are considered objectionable by the Kremlin. The number of threats and attacks on journalists in the country has increased in recent years, according to a report compiled by the Justice for Journalists group.

“Russia is a country where working as a journalist is associated with high risks to life, health and liberty,” the panel said. Says on its website.

Prior to the search, Ms Slavina was under constant pressure from local authorities. Nishni was fined for participating in protests in Novgorod and for referring to Open Russia in his Facebook posts.

Local authorities across the Russian Federation have been putting pressure on the independent media and journalists. Many have left publications established to create their own small websites or blogs. Prior to establishing her own news website in 2016, Ms Slavina worked in several local media outlets, where she always faced various types of censorship.

“I lost my job three times because I could say I stabbed my nose too far,” he said. Said In an interview in September last year.

Ms Slavina, the sole author and author of the website, has published investigative articles on the internal workings of Russia’s most powerful security agency, the Federal Security Service. Despite its one-member staff, Cosa Press quickly became one Very quoted Sales outlets in the region.

In Nishni Novgorod, a city of 1.3 million people 250 miles east of Moscow, photos show people carrying flowers and candles to Ms Slavina’s death. Published online.

Natalia Kryasnevich, Ms Slavina’s acquaintance, described her as “a brave journalist, without any cynicism or suspicion.”

“She is a very independent and passionate person,” Ms. Kriasnevich said Wrote on his Facebook Account. “It is dangerous to be such a person in Russia.”