Escalating incidents of attacks against Russian women journalists abroad signal an alarming trend of transnational oppression by Moscow's authorities

Location: Russia, Moscow
Date: October 31, 2023
*Updated on November 28, 2023

Exiled journalist Anna Loiko, who currently lives in Georgia, has been arrested in absentia by a Moscow court on November 28, for a minimum of one month. The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom condemns Russia’s persistent crackdown on independent journalists at home and abroad. All charges against Loiko should be dismissed, and the attempts to stifle free press should be halted immediately.

“I believe that the darker the times, the more important the mission of journalism,” exiled Russian journalist Anna Loiko tells CFWIJ. “Wars are fought not only on the ground and in the air, but also in the field of information.”

On October 31, Russian police raided the Moscow family home of journalist Anna Loiko and brought her mother to the Investigative Committee for questioning. Loiko, currently in exile, is the editor of the independent Russian news site Sota. She has previously been detained in Russia for her critical reporting.

Authorities have charged Loiko through the "justification of terrorism" clause, defined as "public calls for terrorist activities, public justification of terrorism, or propaganda of terrorism" – part 2 of Article 205.2 of the Criminal Code. This offense carries the possibility of a fine of up to one million rubles ($10,700) or imprisonment of five to seven years. Loiko has been placed on an international wanted list. On November 28, the court officially arrested the journalist in absentia. This means that if she is extradited or deported to Russia, the detention period of one month and one day will start from the moment she is handed over to Russian law enforcement. Georgia, where Loiko currently resides, has an extradition agreement with the Kremlin. 

The case against Loiko revolves around content published in January 2021 on Sota, that reported on members of the Hizb ut-Tahrir organization, which has been declared a terrorist organization by Russia. A significant number of its members resided in Crimea and were categorically labeled as "terrorists" following Russia’s annexation. According to Sota, no terrorist attacks involving this group have ever been documented in Russia.

“Honestly, I didn’t think that the government would welcome a case for an article I wrote in the first months of working as a journalist,” noted Loiko on the criminal case against her. 

“I, of course, did not justify terrorism in any way and will be happy to study the conclusion of the experts who decided otherwise. My articles have always been about one thing - about how the state, which is obliged to protect its citizens, represses its own citizens."

Loiko tells CFWIJ that journalism is needed. “State propaganda from different countries deceives people, scares them and turns them against each other,” she says, adding thatshe believes “quality journalism is and should continue to be the defender of humankind and humanity.” 

Since the onset of the war in Ukraine, the Coalition For Women In Journalism has documented a steep increase in Russian authorities wielding anti-terrorism and military censorship legislation to silence dissent and stifle critical journalists. Under these broadly worded provisions, women journalists who criticize the actions of the Russian government, express support for Ukraine, voice their opinions publicly, or engage in online activities such as publishing articles, comments, or sharing anti-war content have been persecuted. These laws have forced many independent media outlets and journalists to stop reporting or to flee the country to continue their work in exile.

Exiled Russian journalists reporting from abroad are also under increased threat, as documented by CFWIJ. Russian journalists, especially women, reporting from European countries have faced a litany of attacks, including poisoning attempts, surveillance, and hacking. The increasing number of cases targeting exiled Russian journalists suggests a tactic of transnational repression by the Russian government. This practice involves authoritarian governments targeting and persecuting people beyond their borders to silence dissent and maintain control. Tactics such as surveillance, harassment, intimidation, abduction, and even assassination are used against dissidents, activists, journalists, and political opponents who have fled their home countries and are critical of the ruling regime.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom condemns the Kremlin’s attempt to silence Anna Loiko through these absurd charges, adding her to its wanted list and harassing her family in Moscow. This, yet again, shows the extreme lengths the Russian government will go to in order to silence independent journalism. We denounce these baseless charges, call for a dismissal of this case and demand that Russia stop attacking members of the press.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

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