Russian-American Journalist Detained in Russia for Failing to Register, Faces Up to 5 Years in Jail
A Russian-American journalist working for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has been detained in Russia and charged with failing to register as a foreign agent, according to her employer and a journalist watchdog group. Alsu Kurmasheva, an editor with the US Congress-funded outlet’s Tatar-Bashkir service, is currently being held at a temporary detention center. Her employer, RFE/RL, and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) have called for her immediate release.
Kurmasheva is accused of allegedly conducting a targeted collection of military information about Russian activities through the internet last year and providing international authorities with alternative analytical materials as part of information campaigns discrediting Russia. The CPJ expressed its deep concern over the charges and emphasized that journalism is not a crime.
Alsu Kurmasheva has been actively reporting on ethnic minorities in Tatarstan and Bashkortostan, with a particular focus on preserving the Tatar language. The Russian authorities have recently increased pressure on Tatars, adding significance to Kurmasheva’s reporting. Kurmasheva was awaiting the return of her passports when the new charges were announced. If found guilty, she could face up to five years in jail.
This recent arrest comes seven months after the detention of another Western journalist, Gershkovich. He became the first Western reporter to be jailed on spy charges in Russia since the Soviet era. The allegations made against him by Russia have not been backed with public evidence. The Wall Street Journal, Gershkovich, and the US government have all rejected the spying accusations.
The CPJ has called on Russian authorities to release Alsu Kurmasheva immediately and drop all charges against her. This case highlights the ongoing suppression of independent reporting in Russia and raises concerns about press freedom in the country.
In conclusion, the case of Alsu Kurmasheva, a Russian-American journalist detained in Russia for failing to register as a foreign agent, has attracted international attention. Her employer and journalist watchdog groups have called for her immediate release, emphasizing that journalism is not a crime. The charges against Kurmasheva relate to allegations of collecting military information and providing alternative analysis, both of which she vehemently denies. This case further reflects the ongoing challenges faced by journalists in Russia and the need to protect press freedom.
