A Russian journalist who stood up to Vladimir Putin’s regime by holding a banner saying “stop the war” behind a state television presenter has been called a British spy.
Marina Ovsyannikova, 43, risked grave punishment by delivering her message on national Russian television which is heavily censored and strictly pro-Kremlin.
Putin has labelled the invasion of Ukraine a “special military operation” and he has tried to give the impression to the Russian people that the invasion to “de-nazify” their neighbour is going according to plan.
Anti-war rallies have been suppressed with protestors taken away by police and anyone speaking out against the invasion has been threatened with 15-year jail terms.
Ms Ovsyannikova was arrested by police but she was given a relatively lenient fine of around £200.
There have been fears that she may still face further punishment and now she has been accused of being a traitor and colluding with the British.
Kirill Kleymenov, deputy general director of Channel One and a high-profile presenter, has accused her of betrayal.
He suggested she had consorted with British diplomats before she made her brave stand on television.
“Prior to [going on air with her anti-war poster], according to our information, Marina Ovsyannikova spoke with the British embassy,” said Kleymenov.
“Which one of you was on the phone with a foreign embassy?”
Ovsyannikova carried a poster and walked in on Russia ’s most-watched news show and told viewers: “They’re lying to you here” and “Stop the War!”
Her boss at the channel, Kleymenov, hit back: “Emotional impulse is one thing.
“But betrayal is something else.”
He alleged in her TV stunt she betrayed her country “and at the same time all of us, people with whom he has worked side by side for almost 20 years”.
She “betrays coldly, prudently, for a firmly agreed [financial] bonus - by the way, so as not to lose her previous one.
“The woman with the poster timed the action exactly to receive her next salary payment - so betrayal is always one's personal choice.”
He went on: “It is necessary to call things by their proper names.
“Otherwise, if the famous action for 30 pieces of silver coins were called an impulse of the soul, the history of the world would be different.
“Just in case, I wish everyone good health.
“To all without exception. Even traitors. They have to continue to live with this burden.”
Kleymenov provided no further evidence of British involvement, or his accusation that she was paid for the stunt.
Ovsyannikova, a long time editorial executive, turned down an offer of political asylum in France and may still face further criminal charges in Moscow.
