Journalist sentenced for "justification of terrorism" in Russia

Journalist Svetlana Prokopieva has been found guilty of "justifying terrorism" in the eyes of Russian justice. Olga MALTSEVA / AFP

Text by: Daniel Vallot Follow

2 min

She escapes from prison, but receives a heavy fine. Svetlana Prokopieva, the Russian journalist accused of a simple radio column, was convicted on Monday July 6 by the court responsible for the case. Several human rights NGOs denounce a case intended to intimidate journalists in Russia.

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From our correspondent in Moscow,

At the origin of the whole affair, a radio chronicle devoted to an attack perpetrated by a young anarchist activist in 2018. In her text, read on the local antenna of Moscow Echos radio , the 40-year-old journalist made the link between this attack, the political climate established in Russia by Vladimir Putin and the impunity of the security forces.

What "  justify terrorism  " in the eyes of the Russian justice, which recognized the guilt of Svetlana Prokopieva but refused to sentence her to a prison sentence, fining her 500,000 rubles (about 6,000 euros) , a very large sum in Russia.

She can continue to exercise her profession

Svetlana Prokopieva will remain free, and may even continue to exercise her profession - even though the prosecution wanted to deprive her of it for several years. Relieved to see the journalist escape the worst , several human rights NGOs expressed their concern at a verdict intended, according to the Memorial organization, to "  intimidate journalists in Russia ".

The journalist came out of the court with a smile and a bouquet of flowers in her hand, but she expressed her intention to appeal the judgment. "  I am not afraid to criticize the government, and to say to the security forces that they are wrong ," she declared last June 3 in court, while the prosecution demanded a heavy prison sentence from her. against. I'm not afraid of it because I know how horrible it will be if I keep quiet, and if everyone is quiet.  "

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