TV journalist Marina Owsyannikova, who became known through a protest action on Russian television, is increasingly being targeted by Russian authorities. As Ovsyannikova’s lawyer reports on the Telegram news service, her client’s home was searched and criminal investigations were launched against Ovsyannikova. The background is Russian laws that make it a punishable offense to spread false news about the Russian army.
In March, during a live news broadcast on the state-run Kanal One TV channel, the journalist stood behind the presenter with a sign calling for an end to the war and warning against propaganda. Since then, the Ukrainian-born woman has been temporarily arrested and fined for her continued criticism of Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Criminal investigations can lead to a significantly harsher sentence than previous fines.
