Russian Journalist Alsu Kurmasheva Sentenced to Prison for Reporting on Ukraine War

PEN America has condemned the recent sentencing of Alsu Kurmasheva, a journalist for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, to 6.5 years in prison by a Russian court. The conviction was rooted in charges of «spreading false information» about the Russian military, raising concerns over the rapidly deteriorating situation for free speech under the Putin government.

Polina Sadovskaya, the advocacy and Eurasia director at PEN America, stated, «Kurmasheva was targeted for her courageous and honest coverage of Russia’s war on Ukraine.» The trial was held in secret, which many view as a direct attack on journalistic freedom.

In the past, Kurmasheva had been detained in Russia for not registering as a «foreign agent». This law was originally designed to target NGOs but has since expanded to include individuals viewed as under foreign influence, particularly after the invasion of Ukraine.

During her career, Kurmasheva produced significant work highlighting the challenges faced by national minorities in regions like Tatarstan and Bashkortostan. According to her spouse, her role as editor of the book «Saying No to War: 40 Stories of Russians Who Oppose the Russian Invasion of Ukraine» was a primary factor leading to her arrest.

The distressing timing of her sentencing coincided with another harsh ruling against a journalist, as Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was also handed a sentence for alleged espionage. This underlines a worrying trend of increased hostility toward journalists in Russia.

Amnesty International’s Russia Director, Natalia Zviagina, expressed outrage, stating this is just one example of how the Russian authorities suppress dissenting voices. She emphasized that Kurmasheva’s arrest was a violation of her human rights, merely for allowing voices critical of the Kremlin to be heard.

As the number of imprisoned journalists continues to rise, it highlights a concerning pattern in Russia aimed at stifling independent reporting. Reports indicate that Russia now ranks among the top countries for imprisoning writers, with many jailed for anti-war expressions.