Russia Extends Detention of American Journalist for Two More Months

A court in Russia on Friday, December 1, extended the pre-trial detention of Alsu Kormashova, a Russian-American journalist, due to her failure to register as a "foreign agent." According to Reuters, while no trial date has been set yet, the court in Kazan has extended her temporary detention until February 5 (16 Bahman). Alsu Kormashova, a journalist based in Prague, Czech Republic, works for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, which is funded by the U.S. Congress. Russia considers this media outlet a "foreign agent," meaning it receives foreign funding for activities deemed political. Jeffrey Gedmin, the acting president of Radio Liberty, stated, "Alsu has spent 45 days behind bars in Russia, and today her unjust and politically motivated detention has been extended." Gedmin further added, "We urge Russian authorities to immediately grant Alsu the consular access that is her right as an American citizen. Alsu should be freed and returned to her family." According to Radio Liberty, Kormashova, who holds both American and Russian passports, entered Russia on May 20 for a family emergency. She was detained by state agents upon her return in June, and her passports were confiscated. According to court documents, Kormashova was fined 10,000 rubles (approximately $103) in October for failing to register her American passport with Russian authorities. A week later, she was charged with failing to register as a foreign agent, a crime that carries a penalty of up to five years in prison. The term "foreign agent," reminiscent of Cold War espionage concepts, is used in Russia for organizations, journalists, human rights activists, and even figures in art and entertainment, who are closely monitored.