A court in Russia has extended the detention of a Russian-American journalist, who works for the U.S. government-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, for an additional two months pending investigation and trial. The journalist was charged with failing to register as a foreign agent and spreading 'false information' about the Russian military.
The court in Tatarstan ruled on Monday that the journalist must remain in custody until at least June 5. The journalist, who holds dual U.S. and Russian citizenship, expressed concerns about her deteriorating physical health and the poor living conditions in detention.
Russian authorities have been cracking down on dissent and free speech, particularly targeting journalists and critics following President Vladimir Putin's decision to send troops to Ukraine. The legislation introduced criminalizes any public expression that deviates from the official Kremlin line.
This is not the first case of a U.S. journalist facing legal issues in Russia. Another U.S. journalist was arrested on espionage charges last year and has been wrongfully detained according to U.S. authorities.
The detained journalist was initially stopped at an airport in Russia after traveling to visit her ailing mother. Despite RFE/RL's calls for her release, she was arrested on new charges in October. The organization has been challenging Moscow's foreign agent laws in the European Court of Human Rights.
The situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by journalists and media organizations operating in Russia under increasing government scrutiny and restrictions.
