Overview

Irina Vyacheslavovna Murakhtaeva (née Kolebanova; known professionally as Irina Slavina) was a Russian journalist born on 8 January 1973 in Gorky (now Nizhny Novgorod). She became a prominent regional reporter and editor, best known as the founder and editor-in-chief of the independent news outlet Koza.Press, established in 2015. Slavina combined reporting on local politics with civic activism and often covered stories critical of municipal and regional authorities. She was married and had one daughter.

Career and Koza.Press

Slavina launched Koza.Press to focus on investigative and municipal affairs in Nizhny Novgorod Oblast. The outlet published reporting on corruption allegations, public-interest issues and local government decisions. Her work put her at odds with regional officials and drew attention from colleagues in the media community. For a concise Russian-language background on her life and work see this profile: Russian-language profile. Additional coverage of her journalistic activity and reporting context is available here: more on her journalism.

Circumstances of her death

On 2 October 2020, Slavina died after setting herself on fire in the vicinity of the building of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia for the Nizhny Novgorod Oblast. Her death was widely described as an act of political protest. In a final message she posted on social media asking the public to hold the Russian state responsible; that post has been cited in many accounts of the incident and can be read via this reference: her final Facebook post. Contemporary reports and family statements indicated that she had experienced pressure from investigators, including searches and questioning; accounts of the investigation and the immediate circumstances are summarized in reports such as this one: reports on her death.

Reactions and legacy

Slavina's death provoked strong reactions inside Russia and internationally. Journalists' associations, human rights groups and fellow reporters called for thorough investigations into the events preceding her death and raised broader concerns about the safety of independent journalists and the climate for dissent in Russia. Her case became a focal point in discussions about state pressure on the press and the risks faced by regional investigative reporters. Observers noted that self-immolation has a long history as a form of political protest and cited other well-known instances when discussing the symbolism and gravity of her action.

Notable facts

  • Born 8 January 1973 in the city formerly called Gorky (Nizhny Novgorod).
  • Founded the independent news site Koza.Press in 2015 and served as editor-in-chief.
  • Died on 2 October 2020 by self-immolation outside a regional police headquarters.
  • Her last public statement asked that responsibility for her death be attributed to the Russian state; that post is preserved in press coverage and on social platforms (Facebook post).

Slavina's life and death continue to be discussed in analyses of press freedom in Russia and in memorials organized by colleagues and civil-society groups. For further reading and contemporaneous reporting, see the linked resources and profiles that document her work and the events surrounding her final protest: profile, journalism overview, and investigative reports referenced above including reports on her death.