VIENNA, 4 October 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today reiterated his call on the authorities to drop criminal charges of condoning terrorism against journalist Svetlana Prokopyeva.

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PRESS RELEASE

OSCE Media Freedom Representative reiterates his call for dropping criminal charges against journalist Svetlana Prokopyeva in the Russian Federation

Prokopyeva, a journalist with Radio Ekho Moskvy (Echo of Moscow) and a contributor to various other media, including the Russian Service of Radio Free Europe/Radio, was indicted with “publicly condoning terrorism”.

Earlier in February 2019, Désir intervened on Prokopyeva’s behalf with the Russian authorities, when law enforcement officers detained and interrogated the journalist, searched her apartment, and seized her computers, phones and files (see https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/411116).

“I reiterate my call on the authorities to drop the charges brought against Prokopyeva, who had no involvement in any terrorist activity or intention to condone terrorism,” Désir said. “The journalist’s view, even if critical, has nothing to do with justification or promotion of terrorism.”

The charges, punishable by a prison sentence of up to seven years, stem from Prokopyeva’s comments on the radio when she expressed her views regarding a terrorist attack in the Russian city of Arkhangelsk in October 2018 that were critical of the authorities.

The Representative noted yesterday’s statement by Russia’s Presidential Council for the Development of Civil Society and Human Rights on this matter. According to the statement, the Council’s Standing Committee on Freedom of Information and the Rights of Journalists did not find any signs of condoning terrorism in the case.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more atwww.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.

For PDF attachments or links to sources of further information, please visit: https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/434678

Contacts:

Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
Wallnerstrasse 6
1010 Vienna
Austria
Office: +43 1 514 36 6800
Fax: +43 1 514 36 6802
[email protected]

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