Russia: CFWIJ Condemns The Persistent Legal Harassment Against Daria Komarova

Daria Komarova, a freelance journalist for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s (RFE/RL) regional news outlet, Idel.Realii, was detained by police on January 23 for covering protests in support of Russian opposition leader, Alexei Navalny. Daria faces three separate trials for her coverage of the pro-Navalny protests. On April 7, the Leninsky district court held the first arraignment against the journalist for her alleged participation in an opposition rally on August 29, 2020, though the judge postponed the hearing until April 16. CFWIJ demands Russian judicial authorities drop the baseless charges against Daria. As a journalist, she performed her duty while covering the protests, and this should not be considered an act against the state.