the risky return to Russia of a journalist who condemned the war in Ukraine

by time news

Four trials and one arrest. Since her return to Russia, journalist Marina Ovsiannikova has been intimidated by power and redoubled her efforts, in the face of criticism, to prove the sincerity of her opposition to the conflict in Ukraine.

On March 14, he interrupted live the news of the first Russian channel where he worked, Pervy Kanal, with a banner against the offensive launched by Vladimir Putin. A gesture that went around the world and changed his life.

After that blow of effect, he announced that he would stay in Russia, but finally he moved and worked with the medium The world in Germany for three months.

In her absence, her ex-husband, an employee of the pro-Kremlin RT network, brought her to justice to take custody of their two children and prevent you from taking them abroad.

For this reason, the 44-year-old journalist made the “difficult decision” to return to Russia in early July, she explained to AFP.

Marina Ovsyannikova says that she is not afraid to continue denouncing the war in Ukraine. Photo: AFP

“Russian Roulette”

“I have decided to play Russian roulette,” she says, dressed in an elegant black dress, sitting on a bench in central Moscow, after dropping her daughter off at a private school for a summer course.

After living comfortably and working for state television for 19 years, he is now one of the last voices in Russia on loudly condemn the conflict in Ukraine.

The other influential critics are in prison, keeping a low profile or have gone into exile.

“I am a combatant, I am still actively denouncing the war, I have no plans to stop, I am not afraid despite the intimidation,” cries Marina Ovsiannikova.

Since his return from exile, he went to support the imprisoned opponent Ilia Iachin in court, demonstrated near the Kremlin with a banner calling Putin a “murderer” and regularly publishes messages on the Internet denouncing power.

Destruction after a Russian attack in the Kharkov region, this Saturday.  Photo: REUTERS

Destruction after a Russian attack in the Kharkov region, this Saturday. Photo: REUTERS

Despite the risks, he also continues to participate in news programs broadcast by Russian opponents on social networks.

Because of her criticism, she was briefly detained by police in mid-July near her home and he fined her in two trials for statements against the offensive in Ukraine.

Traitor?

On August 8, she will be tried again for having “discredited” the armynot to mention the trial to retain custody of their children.

In addition, she suffers from the hostility of the Russian and Ukrainian opposition, who accuse her of having been a propagandist for Moscow, and that of the pro-Kremlin, who consider her a traitor to Russia.

Others accuse her of having changed her shirt for opportunism, for her career or to gain international visibility. But Marina Ovsiannikova calmly refutes the accusations.

“For power it is useful to constantly create conspiracy theories against me, people no longer know who to believe,” he says, while calling to “unite and support” all opponents of the Kremlin.

He admits mistakes, yes, he admits having stayed “too long” in his bubble, without “finding the strength” to change jobs. For her, this inaction and indifference, embraced by many Russians, is a form of “self-preservation” fueled by fear.

“Our people are really very scared. Even those who understand all the absurdity and horror that is happening prefer to remain silent,” he maintains, believing that the Russians criticize the power “in their kitchen”, sheltered from prying ears, as during the USSR.

family war

Ovsiannikova also recalls that she lives in an “unenviable” situation, threatened from all sides and facing a “family war”.

But he stresses that their problems are “insignificant” compared to the suffering of the Ukrainians.

It remains to be seen if his activism will pay off a judicial process for “spreading false information” about the army, a crime punishable by 15 years in prison. Dozens of people have already been prosecuted in Russia for this reason.

At this point, the journalist is torn between hope and fatalism. According to her, the power may not go ahead to avoid giving more echo to her famous protest on her television, and because she says she has “solid international support”.

But his face twists when asked whether or not he will leave Russia in the event of criminal charges. “It’s hard to say, I live from day to day”, she replies after hesitating.

“We can find a law to punish each person,” adds Marina Ovsiannikova, taking up a sinister aphorism that dates back to Stalinist terror. “If they make this decision, they will arrest me on the day, it will take them a second.”

Fuente: AFP

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