A Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) editor was detained by Russian authorities for not registering as a foreign agent while visiting Russia due to a family emergency.
Russia has increased its media control since the Ukraine conflict, closing independent news outlets and designating journalists and publications as "foreign agents." The majority of U.S. journalists have left Russia, and the State Department has advised U.S. citizens to leave.
Alsu Kurmasheva, an editor at RFE/RL's Tatar-Bashkir Service with both U.S. and Russian passports, traveled to Russia in May for a family emergency. Upon her departure from Russia, she was detained, and her passports were confiscated, leading to a fine for not registering her U.S. passport with Russian authorities. On October 18, Russian authorities charged Kurmasheva with failing to register as a "foreign agent."
The term "foreign agent" is used in Russia to label individuals and organizations engaging in political activity with foreign support. RFE/RL called for her release, emphasizing her professional and personal commitments.
Russian officials have not commented on the detention, and some within Russia argue that the freedoms gained after the Soviet Union's collapse have eroded, giving way to propaganda. In contrast, Russian authorities claim that Western journalists have provided biased reporting, while RFE/RL maintains its mission to deliver accurate news in countries with limited press freedom.
The Committee to Protect Journalists expressed deep concern over Kurmasheva's arrest, asserting that her detention is a further attempt to stifle independent journalism in Russia.
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