In Chechnya, at a meeting on April 3, representatives of 24 Chechen virds, Islamic theologians and “leaders of public opinion” adopted a resolution “openly and directly” calling for reprisals against journalists, writes Novaya Gazeta.

"In view of the insult to the age-old foundations of Chechen society and the dignity of Chechen men, as well as our faith, we promise that retribution will be meted out to the true instigators, wherever and whoever they may be, without a statute of limitations," reads one point of the resolution. "It is obvious to us: this resolution is pushing religious fanatics to commit murder against journalists," the newspaper's editorial board concludes. The publication claims that the meeting, attended by 15,000 people, took place three days after the newspaper first published an article about homosexuals persecuted in the republic.

During the meeting, Adam Shakhidov, an adviser to the head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, publicly accused the staff of Novaya Gazeta of slander and clearly identified “the enemies of our faith and our homeland.”

According to Novaya, the level of violence in Chechnya has increased “dramatically” over the past three years, which is due to the lack of an investigation into the murder of Boris Nemtsov, which “those who ordered it” got away with it. As a result, the lack of punishment for the crime has led to “their [Chechens’] complete confidence in their own invulnerability.”

Novaya journalists called on Russian authorities to do everything possible to stop actions aimed at inciting hatred and hostility towards journalists performing their professional duties.

The newspaper also adds that in connection with Novaya's publications about the persecution of homosexuals in Chechnya, the newspaper's editor-in-chief Dmitry Muratov appealed to the Russian Prosecutor General Yuri Chaika with a demand to oblige the Investigative Committee to conduct an investigation.

After the statement was published, Novaya Gazeta reported on Facebook about a possible DDoS attack on its website. "After the publication of the editorial statement, access to the entire Novaya Gazeta website was terminated. Technical support reports a possible DDoS attack. We are looking into it," the newspaper said.

On April 1, Novaya Gazeta reported on mass detentions and torture of Chechen residents suspected of non-traditional sexual orientation. The press secretary of the head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, Alvi Karimov, called the article "an absolute lie" and emphasized that "it is impossible to persecute those who simply do not exist and cannot exist in the republic."

A source in the Chechen government told Interfax that journalists should not look for threats where there are none. "Residents of the Chechen Republic freely express their opinions on pressing issues. Convictions do not need to be coordinated with the Chechen authorities. Therefore, no comments from official structures are expected in this case. One thing can be said: there is no need to look for direct threats where there are none," the agency's source said.

Novaya Gazeta reported on threats from Chechnya