WASHINGTON, D.C. — Russian authorities have levied additional charges against Alsu Kurmasheva, a veteran RFE/RL journalist who has been held since October for violating Russia’s so-called “foreign agent” law. Kurmasheva is now accused of disseminating “fake” news about Russia’s armed forces, carrying a potential punishment of up to 10 years in prison.
“USAGM strongly condemns Russia’s prolonged detention of RFE/RL journalist Alsu Kurmasheva,” said USAGM CEO Amanda Bennett. “Alsu is an esteemed journalist and mother who has been targeted for doing her job. It’s time for the persecution to end so we can finally bring her home.”
CEO Bennett’s statement echoes widespread condemnation from the international community. “We strongly condemn Russian authorities’ apparent decision to bring additional charges against Alsu,” said RFE/RL acting President Jeffrey Gedmin in a prior statement. “Journalism is not a crime. It is time for this cruel persecution to end. Alsu has already spent 56 days unjustly detained and separated from her family.”
Amanda Bennett
Chief Executive Officer
Amanda Bennett is a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, investigative journalist and editor. She was named Director of Voice of America in March 2016, serving until June 2020. Previously she was Executive Editor of Bloomberg News, where she created and ran a global team of investigative reporters and editors; Editor of The Philadelphia Inquirer; Editor of the Herald-Leader in Lexington, Kentucky; and a managing editor at The Oregonian in Portland, Oregon. Bennett served as a Wall Street Journal reporter for 23 years, including stints in Toronto and Beijing. She has also been a contributing columnist for The Washington Post.
Alsu Kurmasheva
Journalist, RFE/RL
Alsu Kurmasheva is a journalist with RFE/RL’s Tatar-Bashkir Service. Kurmasheva has been detained by authorities in Kazan, Russia since October 18, 2023. She is charged with failure to self-register as a “foreign agent” and disseminating “fake” news about Russia’s armed forces. #FreeAlsu
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