Russian-American journalist Masha Gessen found guilty of spreading ‘false’ information

Source: © CPJ Committee to Protect Journalists Moscow’s Basmanny District Court convicted Russian-American journalist and author Masha Gessen of spreading “false” information about the Russian military

Gerson used the pronoun “they” and was convicted in absentia.

according to Media Coverage The court sentenced them to eight years in prison and banned Gerson from managing the website for four years.

The Russian authorities took the same step despite calls from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) for them to stop prosecuting exiled journalist Masha Gessen and immediately drop all charges against them.

Extreme measures against independent journalists

“The nearly year-long prosecution of exiled journalist Marsha Gessen, culminating in her conviction and sentencing, is emblematic of the extreme measures Russian authorities are taking against independent journalists,” said Carlos Martínez de la Serna, CPJ program director in New York.

“The authorities must immediately drop all charges against them and end Russia’s transnational suppression of critical voices.”

CPJ said that according to documents shared with it by Gessen, the case against them was opened in late August 2023 and stemmed from their September 2022 interview with Russian journalist Yury Dud.

“The documents allege that Russian authorities accused Gessen of spreading ‘false’ information about Russian forces and their involvement in the Bucha massacre,” CPJ said.

Attempt to intimidate

In December 2023, Russian authorities issued an arrest warrant for Gessen, who was living in the United States, and then ordered his arrest in absentia, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.

The journalist told Russian exile broadcaster Dozd TV （TV Rain) Their arrest and international search could make it difficult for them to operate around the world.

In a July 1 letter to the Basman District Court, Gerson argued that the case against them was “an attempt to intimidate (them) and prevent (them) from carrying out their professional activities.”

The Committee to Protect Journalists said Russian authorities have not responded to previous requests for comment.