Russia: Farida Korbangalieva Arrested in Absentia
Women Press Freedom firmly denounces the Kremlin’s cynical transnational repression tactics used to target journalists abroad
Location: Russia, Moscow
Date: June 26, 2024
Women Press Freedom unequivocally condemns the Kremlin’s persistent and cynical use of transnational repression to silence dissenting voices, both domestically and abroad. The recent arrest warrant issued by the Zamoskvoretsky District Court of Moscow for exiled journalist Farida Korbangalieva exemplifies the Russian regime’s relentless crackdown on independent journalism. This follows a disturbing pattern, with at least 14 women and non-binary journalists facing similar warrants. Korbangalieva has been an outspoken critic of the Russian government’s aggressive policies and human rights violations, particularly in Ukraine. Her fearless stance and commitment to truth-telling are undoubtedly the real reasons behind her legal harassment. Women Press Freedom strongly condemns the Kremlin’s vicious crackdown on independent journalists like Farida Korbangalieva. All bogus charges filed against her must be dropped.
WPF welcomes the judgment of the Fair Work Commission that found that broadcaster Antoinette Lattouf was fired by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) following a social media post by Lattouf sharing a Human Rights Watch claim about Israel's actions in Gaza.
WPF is deeply concerned for the safety of press workers in Georgia following the disputed elections marred by violence, allegations of vote rigging, and claims of electoral misconduct. Throughout election day, journalists reporting at polling stations faced assaults, intimidation, and obstruction, highlighting the growing dangers for independent media covering politically sensitive events in the country
Women Press Freedom stands resolutely in solidarity with Arzu Yıldız, an investigative journalist from Turkiye forced into exile after facing persistent threats and persecution for her work. Yıldız's experience is emblematic of the broader crackdown on press freedom under President Tayyip Erdoğan's regime, where dissent is aggressively stifled. We unequivocally condemn the targeting and persecution of journalists by President Tayyip Erdoğan's government.
On June 26, 2024, the Zamoskvoretsky District Court of Moscow issued an arrest warrant for exiled journalist Farida Korbangalieva.
Currently residing in Czechia, Korbangalieva was arrested in absentia for alleged involvement in justifying terrorism on the Internet. The specifics of these charges remain undisclosed.
Earlier in the month, on June 19, 2024, Korbangalieva was added to Rosfinmonitoring’s list of terrorists and extremists.
On social media, Korbangalieva expressed her determination to continue her work despite the accusations. "They didn't explain why they put me on this list. But I guess. As a citizen of Russia, I openly write that the Russian state is waging a war of criminal aggression in Ukraine, subjugating peoples, destroying nations, torturing people, robbing, raping, stealing, and other opinions... Of course, this status of mine will not affect anything and I will continue to speak," she wrote.
Born in Kazan, Korbangalieva began her career on Tatarstan television before moving to Moscow in 2007. She gained prominence as a host of the "Vesti" program on the "Russia 1" channel. Following Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, Korbangalieva left the "Russia" channel and relocated to Czechia with her family. Currently, Korbangalieva runs her own YouTube channel where she discusses Russia's policies, often focusing on its colonial history and ongoing conflicts.
The demand for Farida Korbangalieva’s arrest in absentia on charges of justifying terrorism is yet another example of the ongoing repression of Russian journalists in exile. 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.
Women Press Freedom demands an immediate and unequivocal end to the Kremlin’s persecution of exiled journalists. Farida Korbangalieva’s arrest warrant evidently stems from her forthright and honest reporting on Russian crimes in Ukraine. Adding her to a terrorism list for simply reporting facts and offering professional opinions gleaned from her years of experience is utterly ludicrous. We call on international organizations, governments, and civil society to unite in condemning these oppressive tactics from Russia. We stand in complete solidarity with Korbangalieva and all her colleagues who are facing harassment for their reporting. Russia must cease prosecuting the journalist and dismiss all charges.
WPF is deeply saddened by the death of Ukrainian journalist Victoria Roschyna, who died under unclear circumstances while being transferred to a Moscow prison. The circumstances of her death remain uncertain, but one fact is clear: the Kremlin bears responsibility.
WPF strongly condemns the criminal charges brought against Ukrainian journalists Diana Butsko, Olesya Borovik, and CNN’s Nick Peyton Walsh by Russian federal security services for their coverage of Ukrainian military incursion into the Kursk region.
WPF is alarmed that the well-known journalist is facing issues traveling due to the Kremlin’s concerted and unjust transnational repression tactics
WPF strongly condemns Moscow's legal threats against Italian journalists Stefania Battistini and Simone Traini, who work for the Italian public broadcaster RAI. The journalists stand accused of "illegal border-crossing" after reporting on Ukraine’s counter-invasion in Russia's Kursk region.
WPF is delighted that Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva has been released from prison in Russia and is finally, after ten grueling months, able to return home to family in Prague.
WPF condemns the sentencing of Ukrainian TV presenter Natalia Moseychuk to five years in prison by a Moscow court, in yet another transnational repression attack on press freedom.
WPF condemns the Kremlin’s relentless legal harassment of exiled journalists under “foreign agent” law.
Elizaveta Surnacheva is now facing a second prosecution for failing to comply with the reporting requirements imposed on those labeled as “foreign agents.”
Olga Komleva, a reporter and activist from Ufa, is facing mounting legal pressures and accusations.
In a stark affront to press freedom, a Russian court has convicted American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva in a secret trial, sentencing her to six and a half years in prison.
Exiled journalist Lyudmila Savitskaya has been subjected to continuous legal and financial harassment by the Russian regime, WPF is worryingly documenting.
War photographers Olga Kovalova and Vladyslav Krasnoshchok were injured by Russian shelling while covering the conflict in Toretsk, Donetsk.
Women Press Freedom condemns the continued persecution of journalist who has faced years of harassment.
WPF strongly condemns the ongoing persecution of journalists by the Russian government, which continues to label independent news outlets as “undesirable.”
WPF strongly denounces this transnational repression and calls on the international community to stand in solidarity with Taratuta and other exiled journalists who remain vulnerable to state-sanctioned reprisals from Russia for continuing to report.
Russian-US journalist and author Masha Gessen was convicted in absentia by a Moscow court on charges of spreading false information about the military.
The Kremlin has initiated yet another deplorable attack on press freedom by opening an administrative case against exiled journalist Yulia Latynina.
The Interior Ministry issues arrest warrants for at least 13 women and non-binary journalists.
Court arrests Lazareva in absentia following search warrant by Ministry of Internal Affairs. The renowned journalist is unjustly accused of justifying terrorism.
The deepfake targeting France 24 and journalist Catalina Marchant de Abreu is a serious threat to press freedom and public trust.
WPF vehemently condemns the recent decision by a St. Petersburg court to label the journalist couple Lydia Nevzorova and Aleksandr Nevzorov as an “extremist union.”
WPF denounces additional fines slapped on Baranova for “failure to comply with foreign agent law”
Russian military forces detained Zhanna Kyseliova, editor of the Kakhovska Zoria newspaper, on June 27, 2024, in Kakhovka, Kherson, following a raid on her apartment.
WPF denounces Russia’s decision to revoke the accreditation of Carola Schneider, a seasoned Moscow correspondent for Austria’s ORF.
WPF unequivocally condemns the Kremlin’s persistent and cynical use of transnational repression to silence dissenting voices, both domestically and abroad.
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.
WPF condemns in the strongest terms the Russian Foreign Ministry's decision to revoke the accreditation of Austrian journalist Maria Knips-Witting and order her expulsion from the country.
WPF condemns in the strongest terms the recent actions taken by Rosfinmonitorin in designating journalists Maria Menshikova and Anna Loiko as “terrorists and extremists.”
Victoria Roshchyna, a Ukrainian journalist who went missing in August 2023, is being held by Russia’s Ministry of Defence, WPF can confirm.
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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