Russia Adds New Charges Against Jailed RFERL Journalist

The United States said on Wednesday that it will 'continue to insist on' consular access to jailed RFE/RL journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, who has been held since October in Russia, following reports yesterday that Moscow authorities have levied additional charges against her. Kurmasheva is now accused of disseminating “fake” news about Russia’s armed forces, carrying a potential punishment of up to 10 years in prison.

"We’re closely following her detention. We’re aware that there may be possible charges against her. We have sought consular access to her the Russian Government has not provided. We will continue to insist on it," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told TURAN's Washington correspondent during Wednesday's briefing.

According to media reports, the fake news charge against Kurmasheva is related to a book published by the RFE/RL Tatar-Bashkir Service in 2022 about Russians who oppose the invasion of Ukraine.

Miller also said that the Russians have acknowledged her detention to the U.S. "though they have not made a formal notification." "And we, as always, take seriously our commitment to assist U.S. citizens abroad, and we will continue to do that in this case," he added.

When asked about Kurmasheva's detention being formally designated as "wrongful", Miller said, "that’s not a determination that we have made yet.  But as I have said before, with all these cases, we are constantly assessing facts and the law and making the most appropriate determination."