RFE/RL declared “undesirable organisation” by Russian government

22 February 2024

RFE/RL declared “undesirable organisation” by Russian government

The Russian government has designated Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty an “undesirable organisation,” according to a registry maintained by the country’s Justice Ministry.

The label effectively bans RFE/RL from working in Russia and exposes anyone who cooperates with the outlet to potential prosecution.

RFE/RL President Stephen Capus said the move shows that Moscow considers independent reporting to be “an existential threat.”

The move comes just days after the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

Image: Adobe Stock

RFE/RL Condemns Extension of American Journalist’s Detention in Russia

1 February 2024

RFE/RL Condemns Extension of American Journalist’s Detention in Russia

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) is outraged by today’s decision in Kazan, Russia to extend the detention of imprisoned American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva until April 5. Alsu has been behind bars and separated from her family since October 18, 2023 during a trip to Russia to visit her ailing, elderly mother.

RFE/RL President Stephen Capus says: “Russian authorities are conducting a deplorable criminal campaign against the wrongfully detained Alsu Kurmasheva. Imprisoned and treated unjustly simply because she is an American journalist, Alsu’s prison sentence has been extended again.

The world’s journalistic, human rights organizations, and diplomatic communities are standing with Alsu today. RFE/RL thanks the EU governments who sent representatives to today’s proceedings. Yet, Russia continues its systematic prosecution.

Alsu should be officially declared “wrongfully detained” by the United States Department of State, just as the Wall Street Journal’s Evan Gershkovich was immediately designated after his unjust arrest.

Russia bears the ultimate responsibility for Alsu’s fate. Alsu should be released immediately and allowed to return to her loving family. It is beyond time to #FreeAlsu.”

Last week, on CNN’s The Lead with Jake Tapper, Alsu’s husband, Pavel Butorin, said, “100 days in detention in Russia is 100 days too many. For 100 days now, Alsu has been denied phone calls with her family, with her children. And for 100 days, as an American citizen, she has been denied visits from the U.S. embassy in Moscow.”

On January 25, dozens of Alsu’s RFE/RL colleagues released a video saying “Free Alsu” in 38 languages, including the 27 languages in which RFE/RL broadcasts to its local audiences.

Alsu began her career with RFE/RL in 1998 and is a journalist with RFE/RL’s Tatar-Bashkir Service. She holds U.S. and Russian citizenship and lives in Prague with her husband and two daughters.

[Source: RFE/RL press release]

RFE/RL Condemns New Charges Against American Journalist Alsu Kurmasheva in Russia

13 December 2023

RFE/RL Condemns New Charges Against American Journalist Alsu Kurmasheva in Russia

On December 13, Russian investigators launched another criminal case against Alsu Kurmasheva, an American journalist with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s (RFE/RL) Tatar-Bashkir Service, who has been wrongfully detained in Kazan, Russia, since October 18.

Already facing false “foreign agent” charges, Kurmasheva is now accused of violating Article 207.3 of the Russian Criminal Code, which effectively criminalizes reporting about Russia’s war on Ukraine. If convicted on both charges, Kurmasheva could face up to 15 years in prison.

“We strongly condemn Russian authorities’ apparent decision to bring additional charges against Alsu,” said RFE/RL acting President and Board Member Dr. Jeffrey Gedmin. “Journalism is not a crime. It is time for this cruel persecution to end. Alsu has already spent eight weeks unjustly detained and separated from her family.”

Kurmasheva lives in Prague, Czech Republic, with her husband and two young daughters. She traveled to Russia in May to care for her elderly, ailing mother. When she tried to return home in early June, authorities took her passports and prevented her from leaving. Since then, Russian investigators have launched three separate criminal cases against her.

[Source: RFE/RL press release]

USAGM CEO condemns Russia’s decision to extend detention of RFE/RL journalist Alsu Kurmasheva

1 December 2023

USAGM CEO condemns Russia’s decision to extend detention of RFE/RL journalist Alsu Kurmasheva

Today, a court in the Russian city of Kazan extended by two months, or until February 5, the detention of Alsu Kurmasheva, a veteran journalist from RFE/RL’s Tatar-Bashkir Service who has been in Russian custody since October 18. Kurmasheva has been unjustly charged with failure to register as a foreign agent. The charge carries a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment.

“Every day that Alsu Kurmasheva remains behind bars is a tragedy for her husband and two young children, her community, and journalists everywhere. As an American political prisoner being held in Russia, it is crucial for Alsu to officially be designated as ‘wrongfully detained’ so that her case can receive the time and attention it deserves,” said USAGM CEO Amanda Bennett.

“Alsu has spent 45 days behind bars in Russia and, today, her unjust, politically motivated detention has been extended,” said RFE/RL acting President Jeffrey Gedmin. “We call on Russian authorities to immediately grant Alsu consular access, which is her right as a U.S. citizen. Alsu must be released and reunited with her family.”

Kurmasheva is a dual U.S. and Russian citizen who lives in Prague, Czech Republic, with her husband and children.

[Source: USAGM press release]

RFE/RL Appoints Stephen Capus as Acting President

6 November 2023

RFE/RL Appoints Stephen Capus as Acting President

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s (RFE/RL) Board of Directors has named Stephen Capus as the company’s Acting President, effective January 1, 2024. Board Vice Chairperson Margaret Hoover and Nominations Committee Chairperson Kristin Lord led the rigorous search process for the company.

Capus will serve in an acting capacity until the International Broadcasting Advisory Board is confirmed by the U.S. Senate and can vote on his appointment.

“We are very pleased that Steve has agreed to lead RFE/RL at this important moment in the company’s history,” said Board Chair Ambassador Karen Kornbluh. “He brings both distinguished experience as a senior manager in the news industry and a deep understanding of RFE/RL.”

Capus has more than 25 years of network news management, production, and journalistic experience. The former President of NBC News, Capus was also the Executive Producer of NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw, The News with Brian Williams, and CBS Evening News with Scott Pelley. In recent years, Capus has provided strategic advice as a consultant to RFE/RL in Prague and its grantor agency, the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM).

Margaret Hoover added, “Steve’s vast experience as a journalist, producer, and news executive make him an exceptionally qualified choice to lead RFE/RL’s outstanding international team of journalists in these challenging times.”

“I’m humbled by the opportunity to lead RFE/RL as it remains steadfast in its mission as one of the world’s most trusted sources of independent news and information,” said Capus. “I look forward to continuing the dedicated work of RFE/RL’s existing leader, Jeff Gedmin, and in particular his important efforts to secure the release of four RFE/RL journalists who are unjustly detained.”

Capus will replace Jamie Fly, who stepped down from his position in the summer of 2023. Since July, Board Member Jeff Gedmin has led RFE/RL in an acting capacity.

About RFE/RL

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty is a private, independent international news organization whose programs — radio, Internet, television, and mobile — reach influential audiences in 23 countries, including Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, the republics of Central Asia and the Caucasus. It is funded by the U.S. Congress through USAGM.

[Source: RFE/RL press release]