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For the first time in Russian history, a media outlet has been recognised as a ‘terrorist’ organisation. The regional edition of Komi Daily was added to the Federal Security Service’s register of “terrorist” organisations on Saturday, 11 January. According to the decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation, adopted on 22 November 2024 and entered into force on 28 December, Komi Daily was included in the list along with 172 “structural units” of the “Forum of Free States of Post-Russia”.
In a statement on its Telegram channel, the Komi Daily editorial board stressed that it had nothing to do with the “Forum of Free States of Post-Russia”, whose idea is to divide Russia into 41 independent states. “We are currently consulting with human rights activists to determine our next steps. Our priority is to protect our readers. We will, of course, continue our work,” the statement said.
Komi Daily’s website states that the publication is an independent regional media outlet about the Komi Republic, run by two women living outside Russia. “We are both abroad, which gives us the opportunity to avoid self-censorship and speak frankly about the problems of the republic,” they emphasise.
This case raises serious questions about freedom of speech and the use of anti-terrorism legislation as a means of political pressure, causing concern among human rights organisations and the international community.
