Russian courts on Monday revoked the printing license of top independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta and sentenced a respected ex-reporter to 22 years in prison for treason. These are the latest moves against the media and journalists.

Russian independent media have faced unprecedented pressure in recent years, with the authorities tightening the screws since the Moscow offensive began in February in Ukraine.

All major independent media outlets in Russia have been shut down or their domestic activities suspended after a series of media restrictions on coverage of the Ukraine conflict were imposed.

A Moscow court “voided the registration certificate of the print version of Novaya Gazeta,” the newspaper, which suspended publication at the end of March, said on social media.

It was later said the decision had “killed” the newspaper.

“The newspaper was killed today. They stole 30 years of lives from their employees. They have deprived readers of the right to receive information,” Novaya told Gazeta, adding that her “free spirit” will continue.

UN Human Rights Office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said the decision was “another blow to the independence of Russia’s media”.

In a statement, the court upheld the verdict, which followed a court case initiated by Russia’s media watchdog Roskomnadzor.

The media regulator also wants to shut down the Novaya Gazeta website and a print magazine launched in July.

Two court hearings are scheduled for later this month.

Monday’s verdict came less than a week after the death of the last Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, who helped found Novaya Gazeta in the early 1990s.

Novaya Gazeta editor-in-chief Dmitry Muratov led the procession at Gorbachev’s funeral in Moscow on Saturday.

Novaya Gazeta has paid a heavy price for its independent stance and investigative reporting over the years.

Since 2000, six of its journalists and associates have been killed in connection with their work, including leading investigative reporter Anna Politkovskaya.

Also on Monday, a Moscow court sentenced respected former defense reporter Ivan Safronov to 22 years in prison on treason charges for revealing state secrets.

The judge said Safronov would serve time in a “strict regime penal colony,” the court reported to AFP.

The 32-year-old worked for the business newspapers Kommersant and Vedomosti and was one of the most respected Russian journalists covering defence, politics and the country’s space program.

Safronov appeared in court on Monday in a glass cage for defendants wearing a gray tracksuit and black puff vest, his hands in handcuffs.

Around a hundred people gathered at the Moscow courthouse for the hearing of the verdict, applauding Safronov and shouting “Freedom!” after the sentence has been read.

Safronov smiled and exclaimed: “I love you!” before being taken out of the courtroom, an AFP reporter saw.

His lawyer Dmitry Kachev said the verdict could not be described as “other than insufficient” and that Safronov was convicted for his “journalistic work”.

Safronov’s lawyers told reporters they will appeal the verdict.

Safronov was arrested in July 2020 after leaving journalism to serve as an adviser to the head of the state space agency.

He was accused of collecting confidential information about Russia’s military, defense and security and sharing it with foreign intelligence agencies.

Safronov’s case was heard behind closed doors based on evidence that was also kept secret.

Prosecutors last week sought a 24-year sentence for Safronov after he reportedly turned down a plea for a shorter sentence.

At the start of his trial in April, Safronov called the case a “complete farce of the judiciary” and said he was not guilty.

The ex-journalist said his reporting was based on open source analysis and interviews with officials.

Safronov’s case sparked a backlash from independent journalists and his former colleagues.

On Monday, a dozen independent media outlets, including Novaya Gazeta, issued a statement calling for Safronov’s release and saying the harsh sentence was “revenge” for his work.