Russian Journalist Fined 330,000 Won for Live "Anti-War" Protest... Faces Up to 15 Years in Prison

Up to 15 Years Imprisonment Possible for Additional Charges
"Interrogated for Over 14 Hours, No Sleep for Two Days... Protest Decided Alone"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] A journalist who held an anti-war protest during a live news broadcast on Russian state television was fined 30,000 rubles (about 330,000 KRW). There is still a possibility of additional prosecution by Russian authorities related to the anti-war protest, with a maximum sentence of up to 15 years in prison, drawing public attention in the future.

According to BBC and others on the 15th (local time), the Moscow District Court sentenced Marina Ovsyannikova, an employee of Russia's state TV Channel 1, to this fine for violating protest laws. Ovsyannikova appeared behind the presenter during the news the previous night holding a paper with an anti-war message and shouted, "Stop the war. Don’t believe the propaganda. They are lying to you here."

Immediately after, through a pre-recorded video, Ovsyannikova said, "What is happening in Ukraine right now is a crime, and Russia is an aggressor country. The responsibility for this aggression lies solely on the conscience of Russian President Vladimir Putin." She emphasized that Russians must protest against the war and that only Russians have the power to stop this entire situation. She also expressed deep shame for helping to create propaganda for the Kremlin.

Foreign media reported that the fine imposed was not for the live anti-war protest itself but for the video playback. BBC reported, "It is unclear whether she will be separately sentenced for the live anti-war protest," and noted that she could be prosecuted again under laws prohibiting calling Russia’s military actions aggression or spreading fake news. Under this law, she could face up to 15 years in prison.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Ovsyannikova said that immediately after the sentencing, she held an anti-war protest in front of the court, was arrested by the police, interrogated for more than 14 hours, and was unable to sleep for two days. During that time, she could not contact family or friends and did not receive legal assistance. She said the anti-war protest was planned alone and stated, "This is my anti-war decision, and it was my decision because I did not want Russia to start airstrikes."

Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for the Kremlin, the Russian presidential office, criticized the anti-war protest as "hooliganism" and said the matter would be handled at the level of the broadcasting station and related organizations.

After reports emerged that the journalist could face up to 15 years in prison under Russia’s fake news law following her anti-war protest the previous day, French President Emmanuel Macron stepped forward to protect her. President Macron said, "France strongly condemns the detention of journalists," and stated he would directly raise this issue in future talks with President Putin.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.