This statement was originally published on article19.org on 7 July 2020.
A Russian court has found journalist Svetlana Prokopyeva guilty of “justifying terrorism” for a 2018 report into the bombing of Federal Security Service offices in Arkhangelsk. Prokopyeva had faced a sentence of up to seven years in prison. While it is welcome that the Court did not impose a custodial sentence, they fined her 500,000 roubles (around $7,000).
Sarah Clarke, Head of Europe and Central Asia said:
“This case is yet another example of Russia abusing its anti-terrorism legislation to restrict reporting in the public interest and freedom of speech.
“Russia must stop abusing anti-terrorism legislation to crush political dissent.
“Journalism is not a crime. We urge the appeals court to reverse this decision.”
Svetlana Prokopyeva, a Pskov-based reporter for Radio Free Europe and the liberal news radio station Echo of Moscow, was charged on 7 February 2019 for critical comments she made about the Russian authorities in relation to a suicide bombing.
On 7 November 2018, Prokopyeva’s show on the local Ekho Moskvy radio station discussed an attack in which a 17-year-old boy detonated a homemade bomb inside a local Federal Security Service (FSB) building in Arkhangelsk, killing himself and injuring several FSB officers. Several minutes before the bombing, the assailant, using a nickname, stated on social media that he was going to commit “an act of terrorism,” and said he was doing so because the “FSB . . . fabricates criminal cases and tortures people.” Prokopyeva said on-air that the bomber was “a teenager who grew up under Putin’s rule” and that “a ‘ruthless state’ had raised someone who saw violence as the only path”.
On 6 February 2019, law enforcement officers searched Prokopyeva’s apartment, seized her computers, phones and files. They detained and interrogated the journalist on charges of “publicly justifying terrorism”. An investigation and a search were also conducted at Radio Ekho Moskvy’s editorial office in Pskov. The following day Prokopyeva and her lawyer were made to sign an agreement that they would not disclose substantive information about the investigation.
On 6 and 7 February, the courts in Pskov fined Ekho Moskvy and the Pskovskaya Lenta Novostei media outlet about 2,000 and 2,700 euros respectively for Prokopyeva’s comments.
The charges against Prokopyeva under counter terrorism legislation criminalise her lawful expression and violate international legal standards to protect this freedom. In General Comment No. 34, the UN Human Rights Committee underlines that vague concepts such as ‘praising’, ‘glorifying’ or ‘justifying’ terrorism must be clearly defined to be in line with international human rights standards on freedom of expression.
What other members are saying:
CPJ: Russian court convicts, fines journalist Svetlana Prokopyeva in terrorism trial
European Federation of Journalists: Russia: Svetlana Prokopyeva found guilty of “justifying terrorism” and fined 6000€
HRW: Russian Journalist Sentenced on Bogus Terrorism Charges
Reporters Without Borders: Russian radio journalist convicted of “justifying terrorism”
The post Russian journalist convicted of “justifying terrorism” after speculating about motives behind bomb attack appeared first on IFEX.
Source: MEDIA FEED
