"Yulia Kuznetsova said in a social media post that it appeared Novak was being transferred from Penal Colony No. 11 in the village of Bozoy in the Irkutsk region, though her destination was unknown. "This week, a lawyer colleague of mine tried to visit Nika, but was denied entry," Kuznetsova wrote. "He noticed a loud noise and a large number of Investigative Committee officers in the colony. The prison staff are not explaining what exactly happened.""
"Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty President Steve Capus has called on Russian authorities to release Novak, saying her conviction on "politically motivated charges are aimed at silencing and chilling individual reporters." Before her arrest, Novak had worked for ChitaMedia and was editor in chief of the Zab.ru website. She contributed to programs by RFE/RL's Siberia.Realities in 2022. The 33-year-old's case marked the first time that a journalist was sentenced under Article 275.1,"
Nika Novak, a 33-year-old former journalist, has disappeared from Penal Colony No. 11 in Bozoy, Irkutsk Region, during an apparent transfer and her destination is unknown. Her lawyer reported denial of visits and observed a loud noise and many Investigative Committee officers at the colony while staff declined to explain. Novak received a four-year sentence after a closed-door trial under Article 275.1 for "confidential cooperation with a foreign state," a conviction deemed unjust by rights groups. She complained of torture-like conditions, began a hunger strike, and said she was placed in solitary for refusing staged media interviews and seamstress work. RFE/RL called for her release.
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