Women Press Freedom strongly denounces the Kremlin’s cynical transnational repression tactics targeting journalists in exile

Location: Russia, Moscow
Date: June 17, 2024

Arrested in absentia, journalist Ekaterina Fomina faces charges for disseminating "fakes" about the Russian army — a clear retaliation against her investigative reporting, which exposed a Russian soldier's confession to murder in Ukraine. If convicted, she could be imprisoned for 5 to 10 years. This case exemplifies the Kremlin’s broader, sinister campaign to silence women and non-binary journalists critical of the government and military. Women Press Freedom urges the international community to stand in solidarity with Ekaterina Fomina and demand that Russian authorities cease their oppressive actions against the press.

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On June 17, 2024, the Dorogomilovsky District Court of Moscow issued an arrest warrant for journalists Ekaterina Fomina and Roman Anin in absentia, accusing them of disseminating "fakes" about the Russian army driven by political hatred. 

Both journalists fled Russia following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and currently reside in exile.

The accusations against Fomina first came to light in January. The pro-Kremlin news agency TASS reported that the charges were linked to her investigative work, particularly a piece involving Russian Armed Forces Gefreiter Daniil Frolkin. In this investigation, Frolkin confessed to the murder of a Ukrainian civilian, a revelation that provoked the ire of Russian authorities.

In response to Russian authorities’ accusations of blackmail and spreading false information, Fomina vehemently denies having any compromising material on Frolkin. She asserts that her interactions were purely journalistic and that Frolkin voluntarily disclosed information, seeking to expose wrongdoing within his unit rather than engage in deceit.

The reason for Roman Anin’s warrant remains unclear. Echoes of past legal pressures against him hint at a recurring pattern of targeting investigative journalists who expose sensitive information about influential figures.

Fomina is facing charges of spreading “fake news” about the Russian army aimed at stoking political animosity. The Kremlin's definition of "fake news" encompasses information contradicting official narratives or highlighting sensitive topics, including military operations. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Kremlin introduced strict military censorship laws aimed at criminalizing independent reporting on its military activity. These laws have seen the banning of several media outlets, the mass exodus of journalists from Russia, and lengthy imprisonments handed to those in the country. Siberian journalist Maria Ponomarenko was sentenced to six years behind bars in 2023.

Russia continues to issue arrest warrants for numerous journalists, including Veronika Belotserkovskaya and Marina Ovsyannikova, as part of its crackdown on dissent. This is just one of the tactics employed by Putin’s government to target journalists, particularly Russian exiles, beyond its borders. Russia is the most prolific perpetrator of transnational repression against women journalists. It is responsible for 20 of Women Press Freedom’s documented cases in the first four months of 2024. These violations include legal harassment, where journalists like Anastasiya Zhvik and Maria Menshikova face charges and criminal investigations for reporting on sensitive topics. Foreign agent designations are also used to stigmatize and marginalize journalists like Anna Narinskaya and Asya Kazantseva.

The arrest warrants issued for Ekaterina Fomina and Roman Anin epitomize the Kremlin’s alarming trend of using legal tools to target dissenters, especially those in exile. This tactic not only undermines the fundamental principles of free expression but also serves as a grim reminder of the lengths to which authoritarian regimes will go to control the narrative. The international community must condemn these actions unequivocally and support journalists who risk their lives to expose the truth.

Women Press Freedom urges governments, human rights organizations, and media entities to take a firm stance against transnational repression tactics. Exiled journalists facing persecution must be offered protection in the countries where they reside, and those who suppress press freedom must be held accountable.

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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