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Transcript/ScriptTV PF Kurmasheva Convicted
HEADLINE: Russia convicts 2nd American journalist
TEASER: Media watchdogs condemn ‘manipulated’ trial as Alsu Kurmasheva is sentenced to more than 6 years in prison
PUBLISHED AT: 07/22/2024, 5:18 pm
BYLINE: Jessica Jerreat, Liam Scott
CONTRIBUTOR: Cristina Caicedo Smit
DATELINE: Prague, Czechia, Washington DC
VIDEOGRAPHER: Martin Bubenik, Krystof Maixner, Hoshang Fahim
VIDEO EDITOR:
SCRIPT EDITORS: Page, Baragona
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA, AFP, Reuters, Zoom
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT: 2:32
VID APPROVED BY: Baragona
TYPE: EDITOR NOTES: For VOA Press Freedom. Questions/review jjerreat@voanew.com))
((INTRO)) ((Russian courts convicted two American journalists on Friday, Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty editor Alsu Kurmasheva. Press freedom advocates say both are wrongfully detained. With Liam Scott in Prague and Cristina Caicedo Smit in Washington, Jessica Jerreat has the story for VOA News.))
((AFP Alsu Kurmasheva: Alsu in court))((Mandatory: AFP))
((Narrator))
In a closed-door trial Friday, Alsu Kurmasheva received a six-and-a-half-year sentence for spreading what the Kremlin says is false information about the Russian army.
The verdict appears linked to a book Kurmasheva helped edit about Russians opposed to the war in Ukraine. It is unclear if other charges are still pending against the journalist for VOA sister network Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
[[VIDEO VOA footage RFE RL FOOTAGE]]
[[VOA footage of DC or Prague RFE office]]
RFE/RL President Stephen Capus called the trial a quote, “mockery of justice.” Media groups are condemning Russia’s actions.
((For radio: Karol Luczka covers Eastern Europe for the media freedom group the International Press Institute))
((Karol Luczka, International Press Institute)) ((00.40)) ((ZOOM))
“This just shows again how these trials against these two American journalists, this one, a Russian American journalist, in Russia are obviously completely manipulated by Russian authorities.”
((Narrator))
Kurmasheva’s verdict came the same day Russia convicted Evan Gershkovich. The Wall Street Journal reporter was sentenced to 16 years in prison on espionage charges that he denies.
U.S. officials demand the release of both Americans.
((For radio: Matthew Miller is the U.S. State Department spokesperson)) ((D+ ad hoc 11 around 1.51))
((Matthew Miller, U.S. State Department))
"We remain focused on the case of Alsu Kurmasheva. She's a dedicated journalist who is being targeted by Russian authorities for her uncompromising commitment to speaking the truth and her principled reporting."
((GFX media jailings and ranking, Use animated slide))
The convictions mark a rapid decline in media freedoms in Russia. The country ranks near the bottom of the World Press Freedom Index. And Moscow is detaining at least 22 journalists, more than half of whom are foreign nationals, says the Committee to Protect Journalists.
((VOA video Diane Zeleney BROLL RFE Washington Diane set up))
((Narrator))
RFE/RL external affairs chief Diane Zeleny says Kurmasheva’s unjust detention and the risks for its journalists are a daily concern.
((Diane Zeleny, RFE/RL)) ((VOA video)) 00;09;28;06 - 00;09;56;23
“It is the new normal. It's sad to say this is sort of the state of the world right now. Journalists are not safe anymore in many places. And the ways to help them are minimal, actually, you know, and they are being targeted by authoritarian governments.”
((VOA video BROLL Alsu Family: Walking or viewing footage of their mom on a computer))
((Narrator))
Kurmasheva’s family in Prague says her detention hits at a personal level.
((For radio: Bibi Butorin is one of Kurmasheva’s daughters.))
((Bibi Butorin, Kurmasheva’s Eldest Daughter)) 00:04:50:08 - 00:05:21:42 ((ALSU Daughter SOT VOA video))
“It would be one thing if she was only away from me for so long, but to know that she's in an unsafe place and that she is in danger and she's not comfortable, that's something that really makes me sad.”
((VIDEO: AP Gershkovich, video of Gershkovich at earlier hearings, press in court)) ((Mandatory: AP))
((Narrator))
The Russian Embassy did not respond to VOA’s requests for comment. But in the case of Gershkovich, the Kremlin has indicated it would be open to a prisoner swap.
((With Liam Scott in Prague and Cristina Caicedo Smit in Washington, Jessica Jerreat, VOA News.))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
Subtitles / Dubbing AvailableNo
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateJuly 22, 2024 17:38 EDT
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
