Detention of U.S. Journalist Alsu Kurmasheva Extended by Russian Court

Kurmasheva, accused of failing to register as a 'foreign agent', faces up to five years in prison amid growing concerns over press freedom in Russia.

Alsu Kurmasheva, a Russian-American journalist for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), has had her pre-trial detention extended by a Russian court until February 5, 2023.
Kurmasheva is accused of failing to register as a 'foreign agent' in Russia, a charge that carries a potential prison sentence of up to five years.
Kurmasheva, who holds both U.S. and Russian passports, was initially detained in June while in Russia for a family emergency. Her passports were confiscated and she was later fined for failing to register her U.S. passport with Russian authorities.
Kurmasheva is the second U.S. journalist to be detained in Russia this year. Earlier, Wall Street Journal correspondent Evan Gershkovich was arrested on espionage charges.
Press freedom groups and independent journalists have denounced Russia’s targeting of media members, urging U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to declare that Kurmasheva has been wrongfully detained.