Explosive: American Journalist Held Captive in Shocking Russian Detention
US-Russian journalist detained in Russia for failing to register as foreign agent, according to Radio Free Europe Dual national faces charges for his work with the US-funded news organization
A US-Russian dual citizen employed as a journalist and editor for Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) in Prague has been detained in Russia and charged with failing to register as a foreign agent, according to the US-funded news organization.
Kurmasheva was detained on June 2 in Kazan, Russia, while waiting for her return flight to the Czech Republic, as confirmed by her employer. She had traveled to Russia on May 20 to attend to an urgent family matter, according to RFE/RL. Initially, Kazan airport staff confiscated both of her passports and later fined her for not registering her American passport with the Russian authorities. While waiting for the return of her passports, she faced new charges on October 18, as reported by RFE/RL. She was accused of refusing to register as a foreign agent.
The RFE/RL acting president Jeffrey Gedmin issued a statement Wednesday calling for Kurmashevas immediate release.
Anderson Cooper interviews members of Gershkovich's family on Thursday, September 28.
CNN
Detained WSJ journalist Evan Gershkovich's parents recount their experience seeing him in Russia. Relying on information from RFE/RL, it is mentioned that Kurmasheva, an accomplished journalist, has been focusing on the lives of ethnic minorities in Russias Tatarstan and Bashkortostan regions for an extended period of time. Her reports highlight civil initiatives that strive to safeguard and uphold the Tatar language and culture, even in the face of increasing scrutiny and pressure from Russian authorities, as stated by RFE/RL.
In 2022, Russia broadened its law on "foreign agents" after its complete invasion of Ukraine, indicating a stricter suppression of free speech and opposition under President Vladimir Putin. Currently, the definition of foreign agents includes not only individuals or organizations funded from overseas but also those who have received support or are under foreign influence. CNN reached out for comments from the US State Department and the US embassy in Moscow.
In March 2023, Evan Gershkovich, a reporter for the Wall Street Journal, was arrested during a work trip in Russia and charged with espionage, allegations that he and his employer strongly denied. This marks the first instance since 1986, when US journalist Nick Daniloff faced a similar accusation, that a US journalist has been accused of spying by Moscow. If found guilty, Gershkovich could potentially face a prison sentence of up to 20 years.
