Russian American Journalist Detained in Russia, Charged With Working as Illegal Foreign Agent

Alsu Kurmasheva, an editor with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's (RFE/RL) Tatar-Bashkir Service, poses in an undated handout photo. (Pangea Graphics (RFE/RL)/Handout via Reuters)

Russian authorities arrested Russian American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva on Oct. 18 while she was traveling in the city of Kazan, Russia.

Ms. Kurmasheva, who works for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), now faces charges of failing to register as a foreign agent, which carries a maximum prison term of five years. According to a statement by the Committee to Protect Journalists, Russian officials suspect that Ms. Kurmasheva was collecting information on Russian military activities that “could be used against the security of the Russian Federation.”