A Sovetsky District Court in Kazan, Russia extended on Thursday the pre-trial detention of Alsu Kurmasheva, a Russian-American journalist who stands accused of violating a law on “foreign agents.” The Kazan court previously determined the journalist’s pre-trial detention would last until February 5, though this has now been extended by two months to April 5.  

Kurmasheva is a Prague-based journalist for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) holds dual citizenship from both the US and Russia. She was initially detained in June 2023 while boarding a return flight from Russia to the Czech Republic. She was later fined 10,000 rubles (approximately $100) for failing to register her US passport with Russian authorities. 

However, Kurmasheva was later charged with failing to register as a “foreign agent,” an offense that could subject her to up to five years in prison. She has been in Russian custody since October 18, 2023, awaiting trial. Additional criminal charges were later brought in December against Kurmasheva under Articles 207.3 and 330.1 of the Criminal Code, which essentially criminalize reporting on the Russo-Ukrainian war. If convicted on both charges, Kurmasheva faces up to 15 years in prison. 

The “foreign agent” law requires anyone who receives support from outside Russia or who is under the “influence” of non-Russian parties to register with Russian authorities and declare themselves as “foreign agents.” The law has strong connotations with Cold War-era espionage, with individuals falling within the scope of it made subject to additional audits, as well as being required to mark all work and/or publications with a 24-word disclaimer that they are being distributed by a “foreign agent.” The law has been heavily criticized both within Russia and internationally, for violating human rights and suppressing fundamental liberties such as freedom of speech and the corresponding freedom of the press. 

“Russian authorities are conducting a deplorable criminal campaign against the wrongfully detained Alsu Kurmasheva. Imprisoned and treated unjustly simply because she is an American journalist, Alsu’s prison sentence has been extended again,” acting RFE/RL President Stephen Capus said in a statement.

Kurmasheva’s lawyer petitioned the court to allow Kurmasheva to complete her pre-trial detention under house arrest. The request was denied. 

News of Kurmasheva’s extended custody has sparked the public at large to call for the immediate designation of Kurmasheva as “wrongfully detained” by the US Department of State, which would allow for the case against the journalist to be labelled as politically motivated and raise the overall profile of her case. The hashtag, #FreeAlsu, has begun trending on social media platforms, with users calling for Kurmasheva’s official declaration as “wrongfully detained.” Two other Americans detained by Russia on charges of espionage, including WSJ reporter Evan Gershkobich and US Marine Paul Whelan, have already received this designation. 

The hearing Thursday was conducted behind closed doors, with members of the press only allowed to be present during the reading of the decision. Kurmasheva’s custody has been extended to April 5, with a date for trial yet to be set.