TV journalist Marina Ovsyannikova, who became known for her live protest against the Russian military operation in Ukraine, was arrested again in Russia. Investigations have been launched against Ovzyannikova for “spreading false information” about the Russian army, her lawyer Dmitry Zakvatov told the AFP news agency today.
Since late July, the mother of two has been fined twice for “discrediting” the army. The verdicts concerned in particular publications on online networks in which the journalist criticized the military offensive in Ukraine.
Ovzyannikova became internationally known when she appeared behind the news anchor during a live broadcast from her employer, a broadcaster loyal to the Kremlin, in mid-March and flashed a poster protesting the military operation in Ukraine on camera. Russian officials, who have been taking action against government critics for years, have significantly toughened their criminal procedures since the military offensive began.