Women Press Freedom denounces persecution of Favorskaya, demands her immediate release

Location: Russia, Moscow
Date: May 21, 2024

Women Press Freedom is deeply concerned about the ongoing detention and legal proceedings against Antonina Favorskaya, a journalist with SOTAvision. Favorskaya is facing charges of “extremism” directly linked to her journalistic work covering Navalny’s trials and documenting alleged abuses by the Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN). Her latest hearing was marred by legal irregularities, with Favorskaya’s lawyer not informed about the hearing, leaving the journalist to be represented by a state-appointed attorney. We demand Russian authorities ensure Favorskaya has access to her chosen legal counsel, uphold her rights as a journalist, and conduct judicial processes transparently. Antonina Favorskaya must be released immediately, and all charges against her dropped.

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On May 21, 2024, the Basmanny District Court of Moscow extended the pre-trial detention of SOTAvision journalist Antonina Favorskaya until August 3, 2024. 

Favorskaya was initially detained on March 17, 2024, near the Brateevo police station shortly after laying flowers at the grave of late opposition leader Alexei Navalny. She was first arrested for 10 days for alleged disobedience to a police officer.

Upon completing this administrative arrest, she was immediately re-detained as a suspect in a criminal case related to her journalistic work. 

Authorities allege her involvement with the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), an organization linked to Alexei Navalny and classified as extremist by Russian authorities. Her work exposing abuses by the Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN) is also being used to incriminate the journalist.

Favorskaya has extensively covered the late opposition leader and his activism, including his court hearings, and reportedly filmed the last known video of Navalny before his death. Navalny's spokeswoman asserts that Favorskaya did not post any content on FBK platforms.

During her latest closed-door court hearing, Favorskaya was represented by a court-appointed lawyer. Her contracted lawyer, Fyodor Sirosh, was conspicuously absent and claims he was not notified about the hearing. Favorskaya expressed confusion and concern over the absence of her chosen legal representative. In court, Favorskaya invoked Article 51 of the Russian Constitution, which protects individuals from self-incrimination. Her request to interact with journalists was denied.

Since the beginning of the year, three women journalists, including Favorskaya, Olga Komleva, and Nadezhda Kevorkova, have been placed in pre-trial detention in Russia. Several others have been briefly detained while covering memorials for Navalny or reporting on women-led anti-war demonstrations. Russian-American Alsu Kurmasheva remains behind bars since her arrest in October 2023.

Women Press Freedom denounces the bogus extremism charges against Antonina Favorskaya and demands her unconditional release. We believe this is a retaliatory act by the Kremlin targeting Favorskaya for her extensive coverage of Alexei Navalny. Russian authorities are not only unjustly detaining Favorskaya but also impeding her right to due process. Favorskaya must be guaranteed access to her chosen legal counsel, and all procedural norms must be strictly followed. The judicial process must continue openly and transparently, allowing public and media access to court hearings. Favorskaya must be freed from jail immediately.

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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