Russian court starts case against Barents Observer journalist Georgii Chentemirov
The journalist is cooperating with an 'undesirable organisation,' the Petrozavodsk City Court argues. The case is the second of its kind against a journalist from the Barents Observer.
A protocol on the 'participation in the activities of an undesirable organisation' has been drawn up against Barents Observer journalist Georgii Chentemirov. Information about the case appeared on the website of the Petrozavodsk City Court on October 9, and was first noted by newspaper Mediazona.
Chentemirov is not surprised.
"It is an expected decision. The authorities, of course, will continue to repress journalists who write about Russia in a way that differs from the Kremlin's narratives," Chentemirov says in a comment.
From before, the journalist has status as so-called 'foreign agent.'
"There are already many other similar cases: journalists are convicted and arrested in absentia on charges of "undesirability". These are unlawful measures: the status of "undesirable organisations" is illegal, as is my status as a "foreign agent". I will continue to work," Chentemirov emphasises.
Russian authorities have repeatedly tried to hinder the work of the Norwegian newspaper. In February of this year, the Prosecutor General declared the Barents Observer a so-called 'undesirable organisation.' The announcement came only one day after the newspaper won a case against Russian authorities in the European Court for Human Rights (ECHR).
The Barents Observer subsequently took the Prosecutor General to court in July. Despite the loss, the newspaper sees the case as a victory.
Also journalist Denis Zagore has been fined for working for the newspaper. The case is contested by the Barents Observer in court. In addition, the Russian Ministry of Justice has included two of its journalists — Georgy Chentemirov and Olesia Krivtsova — in the list of 'foreign agents'.
The Barents Observer emphasises that the repression against its journalists is unlawful.
At present, 269 organisations are included in the list of 'undesirable organisations.' Almost any organisation can be added to the list — from human rights and political movements to religious communities and independent media. Cooperation with an 'undesirable' includes risk of persecution.
Repeated prosecution under this article could lead to criminal prosecution and up to six years in prison.
