Russian Journalist Who Shouted "No War" on Live Broadcast and Was Detained Escapes to Europe

Fined Twice and Placed Under House Arrest for Anti-War Protests
Lawyer Claims "Cannot Receive Fair Trial, Leaving the Country"

Russian journalist Marina Ovsyannikova, who held a protest against the war. Photo by Reuters-Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] Reports have emerged that Russian journalist Marina Obshannikova (44), who staged an “anti-war protest” during a live broadcast, has escaped to Europe. She had recently fled house arrest with her daughter and had been missing since.

On the 17th (local time), The Guardian and The New York Times cited Obshannikova’s lawyer Dmitry Zakhvatov, reporting that Obshannikova has currently fled Russia and is under the protection of a European country.

The lawyer said, “Obshannikova and her daughter had no choice but to leave Russia,” adding, “They are doing well. They are waiting until they can speak publicly, but for now it is not safe.” He did not disclose Obshannikova’s current whereabouts. He claimed, “Obshannikova left because she could not expect a fair trial.”

In March, Obshannikova interrupted a live news broadcast on Russia’s state-run Channel One TV, where she staged an anti-war protest. At the time, she held a sign that read, “Stop the war. Don’t believe political propaganda. They are lying to you here.” Later, in August, she protested on the riverbank opposite the Kremlin, condemning civilian deaths in Ukraine and holding a poster accusing Putin of being a “murderer.”

Continuing her anti-war protests, Obshannikova was fined twice for insulting the military. In August, she was placed under two months of house arrest on charges of spreading false information and defamation, but recent reports indicated she escaped with her 11-year-old daughter.

After going missing following her escape, Obshannikova asserted her innocence via Telegram on the 5th. She said, “I believe I am completely innocent,” adding, “The Russian Federation’s criminal law is completely unconstitutional. Therefore, I reject house arrest and will free myself.”

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