Russian journalist Nadezhda Kevorkova has been detained and is facing charges of justifying terrorism through posts on the Telegram messaging app. Kevorkova’s lawyer, Kaloy Akhilgov, stated that she is expected to appear in court soon and could face up to five years in prison if convicted. The charges stem from two posts, one in 2018 that republished an article about an attack by Islamic militants on the city of Nalchik, and the other in 2021 regarding the Taliban. Kevorkova has previously worked for both independent media outlets such as Novaya Gazeta and state-funded media like RT.
The detention of Kevorkova is part of an intensifying crackdown on journalists, opposition figures, and critics of Russia’s war in Ukraine. Two other Russian journalists were recently arrested on charges of extremism for allegedly working with a group founded by the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny. American reporter Evan Gershkovich, who works for The Wall Street Journal, is currently awaiting trial on espionage charges after being detained in March 2023. His employer and Gershkovich have vehemently denied the charges, but he has spent over a year in jail without authorities detailing the evidence supporting the claims.
In a separate incident, Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, who works for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, was detained in October and charged with failing to register as a “foreign agent.” The crackdown on journalists and activists in Russia has intensified in recent years, with critics of the government facing harsh punishments for their work. Despite this, journalist and activist Vladimir Kara-Murza, who is serving a 25-year sentence for treason for his statements against the Ukraine war, was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for commentary in The Washington Post.
The charges against Kevorkova and other journalists highlight the challenges faced by media professionals in Russia, where freedom of speech is increasingly restricted. The detention of journalists like Gershkovich, Kurmasheva, and Kevorkova raises concerns about the safety and freedom of the press in the country. The Russian government’s crackdown on dissenting voices has led to an atmosphere of fear and censorship, with journalists facing severe consequences for their reporting.
International organizations and human rights groups have condemned the arrests of journalists in Russia and called for the release of those detained. The persecution of journalists and activists in the country is seen as a violation of freedom of expression and an attempt to silence independent voices. The targeting of journalists for their work undermines press freedom and democracy, and has sparked outrage from the international community. As the situation in Russia continues to deteriorate for journalists and critics of the government, the need for international intervention and support for press freedom becomes increasingly urgent.
