Russia Imprisons Journalist for Allegedly Spreading ‘Fake News’ About Ukraine War

Russia has jailed a journalist for allegedly spreading ‘fake news’ about the military’s involvement in the Ukraine war, highlighting ongoing concerns about press freedom and government control.

According to a human rights organization, journalist Sergei Mikhailov has received an eight-year prison sentence in Russia for disseminating false information about the country’s military with intention.

According to the Net Freedoms Project on its Telegram channel, prosecutors in Gorno-Altaysk have stated that a 48-year-old individual was driven by “political animosity.” This city is located in the southern Altay area at the foot of the Altai Mountains.

In addition, the court has included a prohibition on the journalist’s ability to engage in journalism and publishing for a duration of four years.

In 2022, Mikhailov, who worked as a journalist and editor for Listok, was detained near Moscow. The reason behind the arrest were his posts on the publication’s Telegram channel and website that contained information about civilian killings in Bucha (located to northwest of Ukraine’s capital Kyiv) as well as Russian attacks resulting in casualties at Mariupol situated towards southeast.

According to rights organizations, the events in both Ukrainian cities were indicative of the extremity of Russia’s invasion.

According to Net Freedoms Project, the journalist is anticipated to present his defence on the stand next week and refutes any allegations of misconduct.

This week, Mikhailov made it clear in court that he maintained his reporting and strongly condemned the Kremlin’s decision to dispatch soldiers to Ukraine.

According to him, the Russian state’s story of labeling Ukrainian leaders as “fascist” had constructed an entire digital world in the information realm and this haze increased progressively.

Mikhailov stated in a speech recorded by Listok on social media that his publications had the objective of preventing readers from being lured into falsehoods and participating in armed conflicts as either killers or casualties. Additionally, he aimed to discourage any harm towards fellow Ukrainians.

READ ALSO: Russia Demands Explanation from France Over Durov’s Arrest

The arrest of Mikhailov commenced shortly after Russia initiated its complete invasion of Ukraine.

Watchdogs report that while President Vladimir Putin has been increasing Russia’s control over media freedoms and the freedom of expression for the past ten years, there has been a significant escalation in repression and suppression of dissent since the beginning of the war.

Laws against “foreign agents” were expanded by Putin three months after the invasion. Nonprofit organizations, media outlets, journalists and activists were included in this expansion. Any organization that received foreign support such as donations or other funding would now be classified as a foreign agent.

By 2023, Putin had advocated for the implementation of censorship laws pertaining to war that would incriminate individuals who could potentially undermine the credibility of the Russian military or disseminate information regarding their actions which did not align with governmental perspectives. Those charged with violating these regulations may face a maximum imprisonment sentence of fifteen years.

Due to the closure of various independent media outlets and persecution of significant journalists caused by state censorship, numerous reporters have been compelled to seek refuge in other countries. Those who decided to stay back in Russia had suffered great consequences.

More than 1,000 individuals are currently facing criminal charges for expressing their opposition to the Ukraine war, as reported by human rights organization OVD-Info.