Alsu Kurmasheva, an American-Russian editor with the U.S.-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Radio, was arrested by Russian authorities while in the country for a family emergency, according to the broadcaster.
Kurmasheva, who is an employee of RFE’s Tatar-Bashkir Service and holds dual citizenship of the United States and Russia, went to the latter country on May 20 to attend to a family emergency. As the journalist attempted to depart, she was held and her passports were taken.
RFE/RL reported that Kurmasheva, who is based in Prague, was accused with not registering as a “foreign agent” by Russian officials on October 18.
The phrase, which has Cold War espionage associations, is used in Russia to describe organizations, journalists, activists, even pop singers and authors who are thought to be involved in political activism with outside assistance. RFE/RL, which demanded her release, stated that she might spend up to five years in prison.
“Alsu is a highly respected colleague, devoted wife, and dedicated mother to two children,” stated RFE/RL acting president Jeffrey Gedmin. “She needs to be released so she can return to her family immediately.”
Since the start of the Ukraine war, Russia has increased its control over the media, forcing the closure of renowned independent news organizations and branding several journalists and publications as “foreign agents.” By now, nearly all American journalists have fled Russia as a result of the conflict as well as the arrest of Wall Street Journal writer Evan Gershkovich on suspicion of espionage in March 2023.
