Razif Abdullin, the chief editor of the online independent media outlet Aspekty, resigned from his position last week amid pressure from the authorities in the Russian region of Bashkortostan, according to a statement by Aspekty's founder, Ruslan Valiyev. Valiyev, the former editor of the now defunct Ekho Moskvy radio affiliate in Bashkortostan, made the announcement via YouTube on October 14, emphasizing that the publication's team was evicted from its studio in Bashkortostan's capital, Ufa. Valiyev, who currently lives abroad, said that despite the setback, Aspekty would continue its work, noting that the publication plans to report more freely as its ties to the region diminish. Aspekty has been active in covering protests and criminal cases against activists in Bashkortostan, particularly since January. In March, Russian media regulator Roskomnadzor blocked Aspekty’s website, but the publication has persisted through its Telegram and YouTube channels after emerging shortly after Russia started its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Idel.Realities, click here.
Russian Media Editor Resigns Amid Government Pressure
Ruslan Valiyev (pictured), the founder of Aspekty media outlet, announced on October 14 that chief editor Razif Abdullin had resigned. (file photo)