Kyrgyz Anti-War Activist Fined for Hate Speech
Russian journalist Alsu Kurmasheva’s appeal against the extension of her pretrial detention has been rejected by the Supreme Court of Russia’s Republic of Tatarstan. The decision was upheld by Judge Rizvan Yusupov on June 18, extending her detention until at least August 5.
Kurmasheva, a journalist with RFE/RL based in Prague and holding dual U.S. and Russian citizenships, has been in Russian custody since October 2023 on charges related to the “foreign agent” law and spreading false information about Russia’s military. These charges could result in a 10-year prison sentence, but Kurmasheva, her employer, and supporters deny the accusations.
During the last hearing on May 31, Kurmasheva mentioned deteriorating health and the need for surgery. She also revealed that she had not heard from her two daughters since October 2023.
Having worked for RFE/RL’s Tatar-Bashkir Service for 25 years, Kurmasheva left Prague in May 2023 due to a family emergency in Tatarstan. She was briefly detained at Kazan airport on June 2, 2023, where her passports and phone were confiscated. Subsequently, she was fined for not registering her U.S. passport with Russian authorities.
The U.S. government and RFE/RL view the charges against Kurmasheva as reprisal for her journalistic work. Calls for her release have been echoed by U.S. State Department officials, including President Joe Biden.
In a separate case, U.S. journalist Evan Gershkovich is facing alleged espionage charges in Russia. The U.S. government and The Wall Street Journal refute these claims, with concerns raised over the closed trial set to begin on June 26 in Yekaterinburg.
Analysts and Western officials accuse Russia of targeting U.S. citizens for potential prisoner exchanges or geopolitical leverage. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between Russia and the U.S. as efforts continue to secure the release of detained individuals on both sides.
