Russia: Svetlana Prokopyeva is sentenced to six years for groundless charges

July 4, Pskov -- Russian journalist Svetlana Prokopyeva was served a verdict on June 3, following the court proceedings that began this month.

The prosecutor in the western Russian city of Pskov has asked a court to sentence Svetlana to six years in prison for “justifying terrorism” in a commentary she broadcasted on her radio programme that linked a suicide bombing with the country’s political climate. 

RFE/RL stated that the prosecutor also asked the Second Western District Military Court to bar Svetlana from journalistic activities for four years. The charge carries a maximum sentence of up to seven years in prison. Svetlana, a freelance contributor to RFE/RL’s Russian Service, has maintained her innocence throughout the trial and described the case as an attempt to “assassinate freedom of speech” in Russia. 

Rights in Russia reported that Svetlana Prokopyeva gave her defense statement at the court with the following: “I am not afraid to criticize the government. I am not afraid to criticize law enforcement or tell the security organs that they are wrong. Because I know how really horrific it will become if I don’t speak out — if no one speaks out. […] I did my work. I did not do anything that was beyond the framework of my professional duty. And that is not a crime.” 

Yesterday in a protest to stand with Svetlana and her rights of journalism, 17 people were detained. CFWIJ follows the detention process. 

Coalition For Women In Journalism finds the sentence against Svetlana Prokopyeva utterly despicable. Russian authorities must obey the rule of law and respect freedom of speech and repeal the sentence against her immediately.