Former Russian TV journalist Marina Ovsyannikova has been fined for “discrediting” Russia’s army. A Moscow court fined Ms Ovsyannikova 50,000 roubles ($800) on Thursday, July 28, for statements she made about Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine.
Shortly after the invasion began, Russia passed a law prohibiting “discrediting” its armed forces. Ms Ovsyannikova was charged with breaking that law when she posted on social media that those responsible for the war would face an international tribunal.
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She reportedly exclaimed to the judge while in court, “What’s going on here is absurd,” “War is horror, blood, and shame.” The trial, she claimed, was intended to “intimidate” her and others who oppose Russia’s actions.
However, she told reporters outside the hearing: “They haven’t managed to intimidate me. I will keep coming out against the war as I have before.”
Ms Ovsyannikova has said that she will appeal the fine.
In March, she staged a historic protest by walking onto the set of one of Russia’s most popular evening news programmes, holding a sign that read: “No war, stop the war, don’t believe the propaganda, they are lying to you here.”
She was questioned for what she claimed to be 14 hours before being fired from her job and fined 30,000 roubles ($480; £400).
ISW Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, November, 27, 2024
The same charges against Ms. Ovsyannikova regarding her social media posts are to be heard in court once more the following month in a different case.
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