Tajik Journalist and Politician Arrested Under Unclear Circumstances
U.S. Media Groups Call on Biden to Recognize RFE/RL Journalist as Wrongfully Detained
The U.S. National Press Club and 18 other media freedom organizations have penned a public letter to President Joe Biden urging him to press for the recognition of RFE/RL journalist Alsu Kurmasheva as a “wrongfully detained” individual. Kurmasheva, a dual U.S. and Russian citizen based in Prague, has been held in a Russian prison since October 2023 on 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.
Both Kurmasheva, her employer, and her supporters have dismissed the charges as politically motivated. Despite calls from the U.S. government, including President Biden, for her immediate release, the State Department has not designated her as “wrongfully detained,” a move that would shed light on the politically motivated nature of the case against her.
The National Press Club President Emily Wilkins, along with other signatories of the letter, emphasized the urgency of declaring Kurmasheva as wrongfully detained. The letter stated that she meets all the criteria for such a designation, and this decision should have been made months ago. The signatories highlighted the importance of prioritizing cases like Kurmasheva’s and urged Biden to intervene in her case.
Kurmasheva, who has served with RFE/RL’s Tatar-Bashkir Service for 25 years, found herself detained in June 2023 at the Kazan airport while awaiting her return flight. Following a series of legal setbacks, including fines and charges for failure to register as a “foreign agent” and spreading falsehoods about the Russian military, Kurmasheva remains in pretrial detention until at least August 5.
The letter also drew attention to other American citizens held in Russian custody, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, who have been designated as “wrongfully detained” by the State Department. Gershkovich recently went on trial on espionage charges in Yekaterinburg, a move that has been denounced as politically motivated by his employer and U.S. authorities.
The plea for Biden to intervene in Kurmasheva’s case comes amid growing concerns about press freedom and the safety of journalists worldwide. With the support of various media watchdogs and professional organizations, the call for her recognition as wrongfully detained aims to bring attention to her unjust treatment and secure her release from Russian custody.
