June 16, 2020, Pskov -- CFWIJ is alarmed to hear about terrorism charges journalist Svetlana Prokopyeva is facing following a coverage she did. Prokopyeva who is facing up to seven years in prison will be heard today at the court.

Svetlana Prokopyeva is a freelance Russian journalist based in the north-western city of Pskov.  In a commentary on Ekho Moskvy radio station in November 2018, she discussed the bombing that had occurred the week before outside the offices of the Federal Security Service in Arkhangelsk.  The bombing had been carried out by 17-year-old Mikhail Zhlobitsky, who died in the incident.  In her commentary, Prokopyeva suggested that Russia’s policy of state repression against protest could lead people to take desperate measures.  In July 2019, Prokopyeva’s name was added to the official list of those declared ‘terrorists and extremists,’ and she was placed under house arrest.  In September 2019, she was formally charged with publicly justifying terrorism.  If found guilty of the charge being brought against her, she could face up to seven years in prison.  Court hearings were postponed in mid-April 2020 because of the coronavirus epidemic but opened on 16 June 2020.

Prokopyeva called out on journalism and human rights organizations on June 15th from her own Facebook account.

“Tomorrow, at 1 p.m., my criminal trial will begin.  After 18 months, everyone is probably fed up with it – all these endless reminders about freedom of speech and the prosecution of journalism itself.  (Even so, let me remind you that I am being put on trial for expressing my opinion, for my professional work as a journalist, for trying to understand something and to issue warnings).  Plus there is the coronavirus – something completely different to worry about.

Even so, I ask you to follow this case. I believe that it is important, not because it is my life, but for the following reason.” (Translation: rightsinrussia.org)

The Clooney Foundation for Justice, Committee to Protect Journalists, Reporters Sans Frontiers have committed to monitoring the case since its initiation in February 2019.

Human Rights Watch has also called out on Russian authorities https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/06/16/russia-commences-bogus-terrorism-trial-against-journalist citing the below 1 percent rate of acquittal in such cases and Russia’s ranking in press freedom.

According to Sever.Realii (a branch of RFE/RL, where Prokopyeva has worked as a journalist for Radio Svoboda), Prokopyeva’s hearing was well-attended, despite the quarantine restrictions in place due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. 

Both Prokopyeva and her lawyer denied the accusations against her, claiming that the prosecutors failed to identify any specific statements where she “justified terrorism.”

“I don’t understand this accusation. It doesn’t contain any words from my column, which allegedly contains justifications of terrorism. I don’t understand what my crime is. I strongly disagree with the accusation,” Prokopyeva said in court. 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism urges Russian authorities to stop terrorising journalistic activities and demands for acquittal of the case against Porkopyeva.