Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva was sentenced to 6½ years in prison at a secret trial for spreading false information about the Russian army, alongside Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was sentenced to 16 years in prison on espionage charges. In March 2022, Russia adopted legislation that effectively criminalized any criticism of the war in Ukraine, leading to the targeting of those speaking out both within the country and abroad.
Kurmasheva, an editor for RFE/RL’s Tatar-Bashkir language service, was convicted of spreading false information about the military after a trial that lasted just two days. Her conviction gained international attention, with her family, employer, and the U.S. government rejecting the charges and calling for her release. The U.S. State Department spokesman noted that Kurmasheva was being targeted for her commitment to speaking the truth and principled reporting.
Kurmasheva holds U.S. and Russian citizenship and lives in Prague with her husband and two daughters. She was arrested in October 2023 and charged with failing to register as a foreign agent while collecting information about the Russian military. Later, she was also charged with spreading false information about the military under new legislation adopted in March 2022. The legislation has been used to target Kremlin critics both domestically and internationally, implicating many in criminal cases.
Many organizations, including Reporters Without Borders, have condemned Kurmasheva’s conviction as an example of the despotism in the Russian judiciary influenced by the Kremlin. RFE/RL was labeled an undesirable organization in Russia in February. The trials of Kurmasheva and Gershkovich raised hopes for a possible prisoner swap between the U.S. and Russia. Gershkovich was the first U.S. journalist arrested on espionage charges since 1986 and has been under arrest since March 2023.
U.S. President Joe Biden denounced the targeting of Gershkovich by the Russian government due to his status as a journalist and an American. U.S. efforts to secure the release of Americans wrongfully detained in Russia are ongoing, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken stating that the cases are being worked on daily. The conviction and sentencing of Kurmasheva and Gershkovich on the same day may indicate a possible deal or bargaining tactic by the Kremlin.
As international pressure continues to mount on Russia over the treatment of journalists and prisoners, the focus remains on securing the release of those wrongfully detained. The availability of a negotiating table does not guarantee a deal, with Moscow likely seeking significant concessions in exchange for the release of its prisoners. As the situation unfolds, efforts to secure the release of individuals like Kurmasheva and Gershkovich remain a top priority for the U.S. and other advocates for press freedom and human rights.
