'Live Broadcast Criticism of Ukraine War' Russian Journalist Fined for SNS Protest

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] A Russian journalist who gained attention for staging a surprise protest against the invasion of Ukraine during a live broadcast on Russian state TV has now been fined for a social media post criticizing the Russian military.

According to major foreign media on the 28th (local time), a Russian court sentenced former state TV reporter Marina Obshannikova (44, photo) to a fine of 50,000 rubles (about 1.1 million won) for disparaging military actions. Obshannikova argued the trial was unfair, but the judge stated, "The evidence of guilt is clear."

Obshannikova was prosecuted for posting on Telegram criticizing the Russian military, including condemning civilian deaths in Ukraine and calling Putin a "murderer."

Originally from Ukraine, Obshannikova gained international attention last March when she stood behind the anchor during a live nighttime news broadcast on state Channel 1 TV, holding a placard that read, "Stop the war. Don’t believe political propaganda. They are lying to you here," staging a surprise protest.

Obshannikova was later fined 30,000 rubles for violating Russian assembly and protest laws, which was related not to the live broadcast protest but to a subsequent video urging anti-war actions without prior government approval.

She later moved to work for the German newspaper Die Welt. While working abroad as a freelance correspondent, she recently returned to Russia for a custody agreement and was detained by the police.

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