Alsu Kurmasheva, a US-Russian journalist, has been sentenced to 6 and a half years in prison after a secret trial, accused of “spreading false information” about the Russian army while reporting on the invasion of Ukraine. Her employer, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), called the process a “mockery of justice.”
This sentencing comes shortly after Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was also convicted of espionage in Russia. The US has criticized both cases as politically motivated.
Kurmasheva, based in Prague with her family, was arrested in 2023 for failing to register as a foreign agent, a requirement imposed on journalists by Russia following the invasion of Ukraine. Many journalists have reported being targeted by security services despite registering.
The US has accused Russia of arbitrarily detaining its citizens to negotiate favorable prisoner swaps, including basketball star Britney Griner. The situation highlights the challenging environment for journalists reporting on politically sensitive topics in Russia.