Alerts | Arrest/detention/charges

Russia sentences Ukrainian TV journalist to prison in absentia

Date:
Number of cases:
Regions/Countries:
Alert types:

On 31 July 2024, a court in Moscow sentenced Ukrainian TV journalist Nataliya Moseychuk to five years of prison in absentia on charges of publicly inciting “hate or enmity”, Russian independent media reported. Moseychuk was earlier been placed on Russia’s ‘wanted’ list. The journalist was incriminated for a TV appearance on the Ukrainian 1+1 TV channel in March 2022, during which she reacted to Russian bombings of Ukrainian cities by saying that the wives of Russian soldiers should “be scared and understand that sooner or later” their husbands would be killed. She also “recommended” that fiancees of Russian military pilots “find themselves black headscarves” of mourning. Her appearance was publicized in Russia by Illia Kyva, a former Ukrainian MP who moved to continue his career there after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and promoted Russia’s position in the war before his assassination in December 2023. Following the publication by Kyva, the head of Russia’s Investigative Committee Aleksandr Bastrykin demanded the opening of a criminal case against Moseychuk.

Become a member

IPI membership is open to anyone active in the field of journalism, in news media outlets, as freelancers, in schools of journalism or in defence of press freedom rights, who supports the principle of freedom of the press and desires to co-operate in achieving IPI’s objectives.

Become a member

Latest