Igor Domnikov

Igor Domnikov (May 29, 1959 – July 16, 2000) was a Russian journalist and editor for Novaya Gazeta in Moscow, known for investigating business corruption. He was murdered in 2000 after being attacked with hammers outside his apartment, dying two months later from injuries sustained. While five individuals were convicted of the crime in 2007, the suspected mastermind, Sergey Dorovsky, a former government official, was never prosecuted due to the expiration of the statute of limitations.

Domnikov was married to Margarita and lived in the same building as his colleague Oleg Sultanov. Many colleagues believe the attack was a case of mistaken identity, as Sultanov had received death threats. Domnikov had published five critical articles about Dorovsky’s economic policies in Lipetsk Region between 1999 and 2000.

The murder drew significant attention to press freedom issues in Russia. Novaya Gazeta, known for its investigative reporting, has faced numerous attacks on its journalists, including Stanislav Markelov, Anastasia Baburova, Anna Politkovskaya, and Yuri Shchekochikhin. The paper considered arming its staff after these killings.

International organizations condemned the murder as an attack on freedom of expression. Igor Domnikov posthumously received recognition for his contributions to free speech, including an award at the 2010 Laureate Freedom of Speech awards. His case remains a symbol of the risks faced by journalists in Russia.