Russian journalist Marina Ovsiannikova, who protested the attack in Ukraine live on state television, joined Russia’s Wanted list, according to a statement filed by AFP on Monday.
The website of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs stated that 44-year-old Ovsiannikova is wanted in a criminal case, but did not provide details.
He is accused of “spreading false information” about the Russian military, a crime punishable by 10 years in prison and under house arrest. The detention period was postponed to 9 October and there was a possibility that it could be extended until the hearing.
His lawyer, Dmitri Zakhvatov, contacted by AFP, confirmed that his client was called “because he was not where he should be until 9 October”. The lawyer did not give further details about his whereabouts, whether he is in Russia or abroad.
On September 21, supporters of Marina Ovsiannikova demonstrated on social media when Russia announced a partial military deployment. The journalist stated that he attended the hearing of his case with a banner that read “NO TO MOBILIZATION”.
In mid-March, days after the start of the offensive in Ukraine, Marina Ovsiannikova interrupted the nightly news on the Russian public network Pervy Kanal, on which she had worked for almost 20 years. On air, the journalist waved a banner calling for an end to the conflict and stating that the Russians “do not believe in the propaganda” of the regime.
He was briefly arrested and fined for this gesture. She later left the country to work for the German newspaper Die Welt, but returned to Russia in July to seek custody of her two young children.
Despite the risks, he continued to criticize Moscow for its offensive in Ukraine. He was arrested again and charged with “spreading false information” about the Russian military.
Since the start of the attack on Ukraine on February 24, Russian authorities have suppressed all reports of the conflict with criminal cases that may entail fines and also heavy prison terms.
source: Noticias
