Russia detains journalist with dual US, Russian citizenship

A Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) editor was held in Russia for failing to register as a foreign agent while travelling there for a family emergency, according to the station.

Since the commencement of the war in Ukraine, Russia has increased its control over the media, forcing the closure of renowned independent news organisations and labelling numerous journalists and publications as “foreign agents.”

Nearly all American journalists have fled Russia as a result of the war and the March arrest of Wall Street Journal correspondent Evan Gershkovich on suspicion of spying. In order to escape Russia, the State Department has frequently urged American citizens.

A family issue necessitated Alsu Kurmasheva, a journalist for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Tatar-Bashkir Service, to go to Russia on May 20.

Kurmasheva was held and her passports were taken as she awaited her return aircraft at the end of that trip as she attempted to depart Russia. She received a fine for not registering her American passport with the Russian authorities.

RFE/RL reported that Kurmasheva, who is based in Prague, was accused with not registering as a “foreign agent” by Russian officials on October 18.

The phrase, which evokes Cold War espionage, is used in Russia to describe organisations journalists, activists and even pop stars and writers deemed to be engaging in political activity with foreign support.

“Alsu is a highly respected colleague, devoted wife, and dedicated mother to two children,” said RFE/RL acting president Jeffrey Gedmin.

“She needs to be released so she can return to her family immediately.”

In this undated handout photo, Alsu Kurmasheva, an editor with RFE/RL’s Tatar-Bashkir Service, strikes a pose. Handout from Pangea Graphics (RFE/RL) via REUTERS Obtain Licence Rights

Kurmasheva failed to register as a “foreign agent” while gathering intelligence on Russia’s military action, according to the Russian news service Tatar-Inform. RFE/RL, which demanded her release, stated that she might spend up to five years in prison.

Regarding her detention, the Russian government is still silent.

Some journalists, thinkers, and opposition activists in Russia claim that the liberties gained with the fall of the Soviet Union have been squandered and that nationalistic propaganda dominates public discourse there.

Russian officials reject these allegations, claiming that Western media has for years failed to adequately portray Russia and has actively biassed their coverage of Russia and the conflict in the Ukraine in order to serve the interests of the West.

Its aim is to “promote democratic values by providing accurate, uncensored news and open debate in countries where a free press is threatened and disinformation is pervasive,” according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, which has offices in Prague and Washington.

Through the US Agency for Global Media, a grant from the US Congress provides the funding.

The arrest of Kurmasheva prompted the Committee to Protect Journalists to express grave concern.

“CPJ is deeply concerned by the detention of U.S-Russian journalist Alsu Kurmasheva on spurious criminal charges and calls on Russian authorities to release her immediately and drop all charges against her,” said Gulnoza Said, CPJ’s Europe and Central Asia program coordinator.

“Journalism is not a crime and Kurmasheva’s detention is yet more proof that Russia is determined to stifle independent reporting.”

(With agency inputs)