A Russian journalist who stormed a live state tv broadcast with a ‘No War’ protest has joined a German newspaper.
Marina Ovsyannikova was watched by 250 million viewers globally as she evaded armed guards to protest the war in Ukraine on Russia’s pro-Putin Channel One.
After refusing asylum in France, she has taken up a role as a freelance correspondent for Die Welt, writing for its German newspaper and appearing live on the media company’s TV news channel.
Die Welt stood for “what is being defended so vehemently by the courageous people on the ground in Ukraine right now: for freedom,” Ms Ovsyannikova said.
Ulf Porschardt, who is editor-in-chief of Welt Group, said: “I am excited to be working with her”.
He added that Ms Ovsyannikova’s on-air protest “defended the most important journalistic ethics - despite the threat of state repression”.
Ovsyannikova was detained shortly after the protest which interrupted anchor Ekaterina Andreeva on March 1.
As one of the most senior staff members at Channel One, Ovsyannikova was able to bypass guards and run behind newsreader Andreeva shouting: “Stop the war. No to war.” With a sign that read: “Don’t believe the propaganda, they are lying to you here.” As Andreeva tried to read her script.
Lawyers spent nearly 24 hours looking for Osyvannikova before she finally appeared in Moscow’s Ostankino district court.
She was fined 30,000 roubles (£214) and released from court after pleading not guilty to the charge of organising an unauthorised public event.
“These were indeed some of the hardest days of my life,” she told reporters following the short hearing for which she wore a necklace in the colours of the Ukrainian flag. “I spent two days without sleep. I was questioned for more than 14 hours. They didn’t allow me to reach my family or give me any legal aid. I was in a fairly difficult position.”
Speaking from hiding, Ovsyannikova had since told media of her resolve to stay in her country.
“I don’t want to leave Russia. I am a patriot,” she told German news site Der Spiegel.
Ovsyannikova turned down an offer of asylum from French President Emmanuel Macron, even as she feared severe repercussions from Russian authorities and called herself Russia’s “enemy No. 1”.
