The paper quoted the Movement Against Illegal Immigration, an ultranationalist group that said that Georgians who live on Russian territory should be relocated to refugee camps and that they are "carrying out intelligence and sabotage activities" as well as "undermining Russia's economy."

Valery Beresnyov, Novaya Gazeta's editor, mentioned that the paper was renowned "for its intolerance toward ultranationalists" and that the quote was part of a story that cautions the public about the dangers of ultranationalism.

Berenyov also pointed out that the paper was the only one to have allowed the Georgian community to have a voice during the recent conflict in the South Ossetia region.

Meanwhile, the Movement Against Illegal Immigration did not get any federal warning about the statement.

Beresnyov said the paper would appeal the accusation in court. However, Andrei Richter, head of Moscow's Media Law and Policy Institute, warned that the paper doesn't stand much chance at winning the lawsuit.

Earlier this month, Chernovik, an independent paper from Dagestan was closed down for allegedly promoting extremist views. Following the closure, Russian authorities called for the need for national media to stay within legal boundaries.

Novaya Gazeta's Samara edition closed down last year after receiving pressure from local authorities, reported The Moscow Times. Anna Politkovskaya, the paper's investigative journalist from Moscow who criticized the Kremlin, was shot dead nearly 2 years ago.

Source: The Moscow Times

See also:
Russia: new law to protect journalists investigating corruption
GÖTEBORG: EXTENDED VIDEO - Garry Kasparov challenges Russian press freedom at World Editors Forum
Russia: journalists urged to provide content that "proves" Georgian violence
Russia: reporting about Georgia is "propaganda" and "disinformation"