Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva was sentenced to six and a half years in prison for disseminating false information about the Russian military in Ukraine, according to international media.
Kurmasheva, 47, was arrested in Russia in October 2023 while on a private visit. She was initially charged with failing to register as a “foreign agent,” but was later accused of disseminating “false information” related to the Russian military, an offense that carries a maximum sentence of 15 years.
The trial was conducted without prior public notification, which deviated from the usual practice of scheduling hearings in advance, even in closed-door proceedings.
Her supporters believe that “the lack of transparency is part of a wider effort by the Kremlin to silence critics of its actions in Ukraine,” according to media reports.
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), a U.S.-funded media organization based in Prague, which has employed the journalist since 1998 expressed criticism regarding the sentence.
Stephen Capus, President of RFE/RL, denounced the proceedings as a miscarriage of justice and demanded the immediate release of his colleague.
Kurmasheva’s husband, Pavel Butorin, also criticized the lack of transparency surrounding the case, noting that Kurmasheva was not charged with spying or treason.
The family had not been informed of the trial date or the evidence against Kurmasheva, suggesting that the authorities might be unwilling to disclose details of the proceedings, the same source reported, citing the husband.
Kurmasheva traveled to Russia on May 20, 2023, for a family visit. However, due to the confiscation of her American and Russian passports, she was unable to leave the country and was subsequently detained.
Russian media reports suggest that the accusation of spreading “false information” concerns her contribution to a book that documents the perspectives of Russians who are opposed to the military offensive in Ukraine.