Mother of Tajik Ex-Police Officer Faces 14 Years for Involvement in Banker’s Murder
The Supreme Court of the Republic of Tatarstan in Russia has declined the appeal made by RFE/RL journalist Alsu Kurmasheva against the decision to extend her pretrial detention. The decision was upheld by Judge Rizvan Yusupov on June 18, supporting the previous ruling to extend Kurmasheva’s pretrial detention until at least August 5.
Kurmasheva, a journalist based in Prague with both U.S. and Russian citizenships, has been in Russian custody since October 18, 2023, facing charges of violating the “foreign agent” law and spreading false information about Russia’s military. These charges could result in a 10-year prison sentence. Kurmasheva, along with her employer and supporters, deny these allegations.
During a hearing on May 31, Kurmasheva informed the court of her declining health and the need for surgery. She also mentioned that she last heard her daughters’ voices in October 2023.
Kurmasheva, who has worked for RFE/RL’s Tatar-Bashkir Service for 25 years, was detained in Kazan airport in June 2023 while waiting for a flight back to Prague. Her passports and phone were confiscated, leading to a fine for not registering her U.S. passport with Russian authorities. Subsequently, she was detained again in October and charged with failure to register as a “foreign agent” and spreading false information about the Russian military.
The U.S. government and RFE/RL claim that these charges are a form of retaliation against Kurmasheva’s journalistic work. Calls for her immediate release have been reiterated by U.S. State Department spokesman Mathew Miller, with concerns also raised about the closed trial of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich on espionage charges in Russia.
The trial of Gershkovich, who could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted, is set to begin behind closed doors on June 26 in Yekaterinburg. The U.S. Embassy intends to attend the trial, despite the lack of evidence supporting the charges.
Analysts and Western officials suggest that Russia may be targeting U.S. citizens for detention as part of potential prisoner exchanges or for geopolitical reasons. The case of Kurmasheva and Gershkovich is seen as part of this pattern, with concerns raised about the treatment of detained individuals in Russia.
