A district court in Kazan, Russia, extended the detention of Alsu Kurmasheva, a Russian-American journalist, on Friday. According to Russian state media, Kurmasheva faces allegations of violating Russia’s controversial foreign agent registration law. The decision to prolong her detention until February 5, 2023, was made without specifying a trial date.
Kurmasheva, associated with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), was detained in October. Russian law brands neglecting to register as a foreign agent an offense, which could put Kurmasheva at risk of a five-year prison term. She was associated with RFE/RL.
RFE/RL’s acting president, Jeffrey Gedmin, strongly decried Kurmasheva’s detention, calling it politically motivated and unjust. He demanded Russian authorities to free her immediately, provide her with the consular access she deserves due to her US citizenship, and help facilitate her timely reunion with her family.
This incident is the second of its kind in Russia involving a U.S. journalist. In March, Evan Gershkovich, a correspondent for the Wall Street Journal, was detained on spy charges—accusations that Gershkovich, his employer, and US President Joe Biden firmly rejected. This situation has raised international concerns and prompted more scrutiny of what some are calling Moscow’s use of “hostage diplomacy.”
Several international and domestic groups have criticized Russia’s use of the “foreign agent” label, stating that it is being used to suppress independent media in the country. Kurmasheva’s case highlights growing worries about press freedom and the treatment of foreign individuals within Russia’s legal system, mirroring concerns raised by previous incidents involving U.S. citizens.
Reporters Without Borders has called on the US State Department to categorize Kurmasheva as “wrongfully detained” and requested Russia to abandon the “ludicrous charges” immediately.