Russia: CFWIJ condemns the persistent legal harassment against Lyudmila Savitskaya

May 7, 2021- Lyudmila Savitskaya is a correspondent for the north of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Her appeal to revoke her controversial status as “foreign agent” media in Russia was denied by the city of Pskov on May 5. The court verdict stated that it was lawful to have her name on the Justice Ministry’s list. Savistskaya and four other members were added to the “foreign agent” media list in December 2020. The controversial legislation was formulated in 2012 and has seen many modifications since then. Savistskaya states that the designation as foreign agent media has completely destroyed her private life and has created obstacles in her professional dealings as well. CFWIJ condemns the controversial law that is used merely to persecute a journalist and it isolates them. This targeted legal harassment must end and Savitskaya should be free of any inadequate tags such as foreign media.

Savitskaya’s lawyer stated that they would appeal against the court ruling. The justice ministry produced Savitskaya’s articles that she had written on anti-government protest, torture in prisons, and blocking of telecommunication services at the protest sites. Along with these, there were some documents marked as “for official use only” which Savitskaya and her attorney were not allowed to see. Her lawyer argued that none of the material indicates that the journalist is working on a foreign agenda. 

The journalist concluded her remarks in court saying that, “Not a single mass media outlet is covering the real issues, but Radio Svoboda does,(Russian service of RFE/RL). I was labeled as a foreign agent because I'm raising my voice against injustice. But everyone should be aware that real foreign agents are sitting in the Kremlin and State of Duma, who are working against Russian people while I'm working for them.”

While speaking to Meduza, Savitskaya reiterated that this designation has completely ruined her personal life. She said, “Now the Comrade major and Justice Ministry knows everything about me, even the brand of tampons I use.” Savistkaya's mother is also affected by the decision as now she needs special paperwork every time she needs to send money to her daughter. Before being labeled as foreign agents, she was freelancing with MBK media. But the opportunity is no more available as the outlet was not ready to warn readers about Savistkaya’s articles as required under the law. She also mentioned that this tag is scaring away her sources as well. 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is dismayed over the persistent legal harassment that Lyudmila Savitskaya has faced. We demand the Russian Ministry of Justice and judicial authorities to end this persecution against her and let her report freely. CFWIJ stands in solidarity with Savitskaya and we believe that she should be able to practice journalism free of such hindrances.