The regime-critical Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta writes that their editorial offices have been exposed to an unknown, foul-smelling chemical substance.
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Editor-in-Chief Dmitry Muratov describes the incident as a chemical attack. A strong smell has spread from the entrance to the building with the editorial offices in Moscow.
It is not known who brought the foul-smelling substance to the building. The Russian security service FSB and officials from several ministries are investigating the crime scene, according to Novaja Gazeta.
Avisa is known for independent and investigative journalism and a critical attitude towards the Russian government. Several of the newspaper’s journalists have previously been killed, among them Anna Politkovskaya.
There have been a number of threats against Novaya Gazeta. In an envelope with the inscription “Happy Easter” in 2017, the newspaper received an unknown, white powder, which later turned out to be harmless.
Avisa writes that the following year it received a funeral wreath and a basket with a severed sheep’s head.
