Russia: Second Criminal Case Launched Against Exiled Reporter Maria Menshikova
DOXA journalist is already subject to international arrest warrant and criminal charges
Location: RussiaDate: April 16, 2024
Exiled journalist Maria Menshikova is being charged with “terrorism” for a second time for reporting on resistance to Russia’s war in Ukraine for media outlet DOXA. The charge carries a penalty of up to seven years in prison. Menshikova was charged with a similar crime a year ago and has been added to Russia’s wanted list. She left the country as persecution of independent journalists escalated following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. This criminal case aligns with the Kremlin’s crackdown on DOXA; earlier this year, it was labeled an “undesirable organization” and is subject to restrictions for alleged involvement in “sabotage activities” inside Russia. Women Press Freedom denounces the Kremlin’s continued attempts to target dissidents and journalists in exile by charging them in absentia. We demand an end to this cynical tactic of transnational repression. All criminal charges against Menshikova must be immediately dropped.
On April 16, 2024, Russian news outlets revealed that exiled journalist Maria Menshikova is facing further terrorism charges for her reporting.
The case revolves around a post on her outlet DOXA's public page on VKontakte dating back to July 11, 2022.
The post, which discussed railway resistance and partisans in Russia and Belarus, led to accusations against Menshikova of “justifying terrorism” under 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. The charges against Menshikova, who is currently outside Russia, mirror those against other exiled Russian journalists, such as a SOTA journalist Anna Loiko who faces prosecution for justifying terrorism for an article about the Hizb ut-Tahrir party.
This is the second case against Menshikova for bogus terror-related charges. In April 2023, Menshikova was charged with “incitement to terrorism" for supposedly urging support for anti-war saboteurs who set fire to military recruitment centers in protest against Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Earlier this year, the Ministry of Internal Affairs also added Menshikova to Russia’s wanted list.
At the beginning of 2024, the Prosecutor General's Office labeled Menshikova’s outlet DOXA, an independent student publication, as an "undesirable" organization. This designation came alongside allegations of involvement in "training sabotage activities" on Russian soil, with accusations of publishing materials deemed subversive, including instructions for arson and resistance against law enforcement.
Transnational repression, the act of authoritarian regimes targeting journalists or activists beyond their borders, is a growing concern worldwide. Russia has repeatedly shown its appetite for harassing exiles who have fled the country. Among the targeted exiles, instances include assassination attempts, alarming threats against two journalists in Czechia, multiple cases of legal persecution resulting in sentencing in absentia, and the inclusion of exiled Russians on wanted lists. These tactics underscore the Russian government's concerted efforts to silence dissent, control information, and extend its influence.
Women Press Freedom stands in solidarity with Maria Menshikova, who faces unjust terror charges for her reporting. These allegations aim to silence and intimidate those who speak out against the regime. This is the second time the Kremlin has targeted Menshikova for her journalism, with potential decades-long sentences looming over her. Though she has left Russia, the international arrest warrant and terrorism accusations could impede her freedom in her new residence. Even by Russia's standards of targeting exiled journalists with fabricated charges, these accusations are extreme; journalism is not terrorism. We condemn the Russian government's aggressive assault on exiled journalists and demand an end to the harassment of Menshikova, urging that all charges against her be dropped.
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