Russia Arrests Second US Journalist For Espionage

A US journalist was arrested by Russia for attempting to share sensitive information with a foreign country.

Alsu Kurmasheva, a dual Russian-US citizen, has been accused of collecting information about Russian military activities on the internet, the Financial Times reported.

Alsu Kurmasheva, editor of the Tatar-Bashkir service of Radio Liberty, was detained in Kazan

The journalist of "Idel.Realii" is accused of not registering as a "foreign agent".

Alsu Kurmasheva permanently resides in Prague, but came to Russia for personal reasons. In addition… pic.twitter.com/TJqZtBHN7h

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) October 19, 2023

Why Was Kurmasheva Arrested?

The Russian authorities have accused Kurmasheva of using the internet to gather information about Russian military activities.

The Financial Times said Kurmasheva worked for a US-funded Radio Free Europe/Liberty outlet, making her suspicious in Russia’s eyes.

If she is proven guilty, Kurmasheva may have to spend five years in prison.

Russian authorities in Kazan have detained Alsu Kurmasheva, an editor with @RFERL's Tatar-Bashkir Service.

Read now: https://t.co/eidb2g44GZ pic.twitter.com/kCXODsiKWj

— RFE/RL Pressroom (@RFERLPress) October 18, 2023

Journalist Organization Pleads Russia

The Committee to Protect Journalists, a non-profit organization, has urged Russia to release Kurmasheva immediately.

“CPJ is deeply concerned by the detention of U.S-Russian journalist Alsu Kurmasheva on spurious criminal charges,” the statement said.

This is not the first time Russia has arrested a US journalist.

In March 2023, Russian authorities detained WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich for espionage.