Numerous journalists facing harassment from authorities for reporting rallies

Location: Russia, Moscow
Date: February 24, 2024

Women Press Freedom vehemently condemns the aggressive and unjust detention of journalists Anna Sliva and Yulia Petrova in Moscow, while they were performing their duties in reporting on the peaceful Way Home Movement's protest. The detentions of Sliva — who was kept in custody for two days — and Petrova, along with the harassment of numerous other journalists attempting to cover rallies, represent a clear and present danger to press freedom. Despite displaying press credentials and adhering to professional standards, these journalists were targeted by the authorities in an effort to suppress the dissemination of information and stifle dissent. The continued harassment and detention of journalists covering the activities of the Way Home Movement, as well as memorials for the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, are indicative of a broader crackdown on freedom of expression in Russia. The targeting of journalists, the obstruction of their work, and the imposition of fines and compulsory labor for their reporting activities are unacceptable under any circumstances. 

LATEST VIOLATIONS

On February 24, 2024 RusNews journalist Yulia Petrova, SOTAvision correspondents Anna Sliva and Mikhail Lebedev were detained at a Moscow rally of wives of those mobilized in Russia’s war with Ukraine. Officers demanded the journalists stop filming the rally and forcefully took them away from the protests in police vans. All journalists had press cards and were wearing “PRESS” vests.

Rus News correspondent Yulia Petrova says around seven police officers approached her to check her documents. They began to demand that she “stop broadcasting,” which the journalist did not do. The officers put her in a van and took her to the Kitay-Gorod police department, where they later released. Petrova was also detained days earlier for reporting on public memorials for Alexei Navalny.

While Petrova and Lebedev were released quickly, Sliva was kept in custody for two nights and moved to various police stations around the city. She was first taken to the Khamovniki police department, where her phone was confiscated. She was allegedly charged with violating laws against protests and the illegal use of a media representative's sign at a rally. 

Instead of releasing the journalist, authorities kept Sliva in custody for days until February 26, 2024. She was then taken to court on charges unrelated to her detention at the protest. Sliva was ordered to complete 60 hours of compulsory work for laying flowers at the "Wall of Sorrow" in Moscow on February 17 (the day after the death of Navalny). 

Human rights organization OVD-info, whose lawyer represented Sliva, told Women Press Freedom that Sliva was found guilty under the article on participation in the action, causing interference with pedestrian traffic. Sliva was previously fined in 2023 for discrediting the armed forces for protesting against Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Russian Authorities Persistent Targeting of Media Covering Women’s Protests

The women’s protest is part of the ongoing "Way Home" movement, initiated by wives of conscripted Russians, which aims to bring soldiers back home from the front lines in Ukraine and halt further mobilization efforts. The movement has been gathering momentum, with dozens of women regularly traveling to Moscow to participate in protests at the Kremlin wall. Journalists covering these rallies have been aggressively threatened and detained by state officials.

On February 9, 2024, Russian authorities targeted journalists, including foreign correspondent Christina Hebel from DER SPIEGEL, ahead of a previous women's protest. Security services intimidated journalists, warning them not to cover the demonstration. A week prior, more than 20 journalists were detained during a similar women's action in Moscow. Authorities targeted only the male journalists present, among them a photographer affiliated with DER SPIEGEL and Dutch correspondents. The detained journalists were held for several hours before being released.

Hundreds of Detentions Since Death of Alexei Navalny

Following the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny on February 16, 2024, multiple journalists, activists, and mourners were detained across Russia during memorial events held in his honor. The detentions occurred in cities nationwide where those were apprehended by law enforcement while covering or participating in tributes to Navalny. Among those detained were journalists from RusNews, activists, and filmmakers, including Ksenia Starikova, Yulia Petrova, Elina Kozich, Zosya Rodkevich, and Fyodor Kalinin. Incidents varied from confrontations with authorities while filming to demands for documentation and interference with recording at memorials. Detainees were taken to police stations, with reports indicating instances of violence and lack of transparency in legal proceedings. 

The crackdown on press freedom and dissent in Russia, exacerbated since Navalny's death, reflects a broader trend of authoritarian suppression under President Vladimir Putin's regime.

Women Press Freedom stands in solidarity with Anna Sliva, Yulia Petrova and all journalists unjustly detained and persecuted by the authorities in Russia. The international community must not remain silent in the face of such flagrant abuses of press freedom. It is incumbent upon us to condemn, in the strongest possible terms, Russia's assault on democracy and journalistic integrity. 

Women Press Freedom is an initiative by The Coalition For Women In Journalism

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

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