Russian-American Journalist Sentenced to Prison in Russia

Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, who works for the U.S.-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, has been sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison by a Russian court for allegedly spreading false information about the Russian military. Her secret trial and conviction in Kazan happened the same day that Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was sentenced to 16 years for espionage, raising speculation about potential prisoner swaps with the U.S. Kurmasheva, who holds dual citizenship, had been detained since June 2023 after her passports were confiscated during a visit to Russia. The U.S. government and her employer have denounced the charges as unjust and politically motivated, demanding her immediate release. This case highlights the broader crackdown on independent journalism and dissent in Russia, particularly following the invasion of Ukraine.