Russia Sentences Journalist To 2 Years In Prison, Detains Others
Muhammad Irfan Published March 29, 2024 | 12:40 AM
Moscow, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Mar, 2024) A Russian court on Thursday sentenced a journalist to two years in prison for denouncing Moscow's full-scale military offensive on Ukraine, as police in Moscow detained five other reporters over a 24-hour period.
Russia has made on-the-ground reporting increasingly dangerous and illegal since it sent troops into Ukraine two years ago, arresting and fining those who defy the Kremlin's narratives.
A court in the western exclave of Kaliningrad said journalist Mikhail Feldman had discredited Russia's armed forces in a series of posts on the VKontakte social network, the OVD-Info and Memorial rights groups said, citing his lawyer.
"This is exactly the punishment the prosecution asked for," OVD-Info said. "In addition to being imprisoned, Feldman was banned from administering websites for two years."
Russia has launched hundreds of criminal cases against individuals who oppose its campaign against Ukraine.
Under military censorship laws, Russians who criticise the offensive online or journalists that use information other than that provided by Russian officials can face years in prison.
The sentence came after police in Moscow detained five independent journalists over the past 24 hours, one of whom said he was beaten, OVD-Info reported Thursday.
SOTAvision journalist Antonina Favorskaya was taken for interrogation late Wednesday after serving 10 days' jail for laying flowers at late opposition politician Alexei Navalny's grave.
Her colleagues Alexandra Astakhova and Anastasia Musatova, who came to meet her at the detention centre where she was set to be released, were also detained by police, SOTAvision said.
Then, early Thursday, police arrested reporters Ekaterina Anikievich from SOTAvision and Konstantin Zharov from RusNews, who were filming near Favorskaya's home.
"They kicked me, put a foot on my head, twisted my fingers, mocked me when I tried to get up, demanded to show my rucksack as if it might contain explosives," Zharov said.
Since launching its assault on Ukraine, Russia has banned, blocked or attempted to censor almost all independent media organisations still operating in the country.
Many independent journalists fled in the wake of the offensive, and those that remain face risks. US reporters Evan Gershkovich and Alsu Kurmasheva are currently in jail awaiting trial.
Also on Thursday a court sent a Navalny associate to pre-trial detention on "extremism"-related charges.
Olga Komleva, who volunteered at Navalny's Ufa headquarters in central Russia, was arrested earlier this week in the latest in a string of cases against Navanly's allies who have stayed in Russia.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
KP budget announcement: a move to sabotage IMF talks: Minister of State for Fina ..
IHC orders for live broadcasting of missing persons' cases
Event held at Royal Graveyard Cholistan on Nawab Sadiq death anniversary
PIA flight carrying 171 students reached Quetta
1st PNSC Inter-Provincial Women Softball Championship from May 30
'Youth's calligraphy skill must be sharpened'
Vendrame breaks away to win Giro stage 19, as Pogacar cruises
EU told to tackle food cost differences across the bloc
Pakistan, Lithuania agree to enhance high-level cooperation in diverse sectors
LHC CJ urges judges to work without fear
PRA to start WWF collection: Additional Commissioner
Public welfare budget presented in challenging financial situation: KP CM
More Stories From World
-
Nadal ready for emotional French Open farewell
4 minutes ago -
Massive landslide hits Papua New Guinea, many feared dead
14 minutes ago -
Ex-regulator confirmed as new chief of Brazil's Petrobras
7 hours ago -
Dupont wants Toulouse to retain 'spontaneity' in Champions Cup final
7 hours ago -
Rebuilding hope for migrants aboard Med rescue ship
7 hours ago -
Zverev expects 'peak Nadal' in French Open duel as Djokovic slumps
8 hours ago
-
Pandemic agreement talks end without a deal
8 hours ago -
Dominant Keys sets up Strasbourg final against Collins
8 hours ago -
UK's Starmer campaigns in key election battleground Scotland
8 hours ago -
UN chief relays to Security Council World Court's 'binding' order to Israel to halt attacks in Rafah
9 hours ago -
Tennis: Strasbourg WTA results
9 hours ago -
Pandemic agreement talks end without deal
9 hours ago