BREAKING: Russian Journalist in Ukraine Wanted by Russia

Russian journalist Yevgeny Kiselyov, who has resided in Kyiv for nearly fifteen years, has been placed on the “wanted list” by Russia for a criminal case. The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs has not clarified what law Kiselyov is being accused of having broken. However, Kremlin authorities’ harassment of people who dissent from the policies of Pres. Vladimir Putin is not uncommon.

Kiselyov, whom in 1997 the New York Times called “Russia’s most prominent television journalist,” hosted a show that was a staple of 1990s Russian television built around the concept of America’s “60 Minutes.” The show developed a reputation for being open to diverse views and to not shy away from questioning, or criticizing, official narratives espoused by the Kremlin. The program, Itogi, raised questions about Putin’s predecessor, Boris Yeltin and his connection to illegal profiteering as President.

Despite being of rockstar popularity in his native Russia, Kiselyov was eventually forced out as the managing director of the Russian broadcasting behemoth NTV, after it was sold to Russian state-owned energy company Gazprom. Kiselyov has stated that upon realizing that it was no longer possible to remain an authentic political journalist in Russia, where Putin was tightening his grip on power by actively closing-down dissenting news and assassinating journalists, it was time to investigate new avenues for him to continue his profession.

In 2008, following his dismissal from NTV, Kiselyov decided to emigrate to Kyiv. Since that time Kiselyov has been a fixture of Ukrainian television and has hosted a number of political talk shows across several national television channels.

Kiselyov remains a vocal opponent of the Putin Government and was placed on the “Foreign Agents List,” maintained by the Russian Government. Towards the end of last year, the sixty-six year old journalist spoke at the Forum for a Free Russia in Vilnius, Lithuania, which was organized by fellow oppositioner Garry Kasparov.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), a US-based organization, tabulates that since 1992, 34 Russian journalists have been killed as a direct result of their professional activities, though some believe that number to be far higher. In 1995, the CPJ awarded Kiselyov the “International Press Freedom Award” in recognition of his bravery in supporting press freedom, despite threats to his well-being.