MOSCOW: Russia has arrested a US journalist for collecting sensitive information related to the military.
The journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, a dual Russian-US citizen, has been accused of collecting “military information about Russian activities via the internet in order to transmit information to foreign sources,” the Financial Times reported.
Journalist worked for US-funded outlet
The Russian government has accused Kurmasheva of trying to share information with a foreign government working under the disguise of a journalist.
According to the Financial Times report, Kurmasheva worked for a US-funded Radio Free Europe/Liberty outlet.
If proven guilty of the charges, Kurmasheva may face up to five years in prison.
Moscow urged to free journalist
The Committee to Protect Journalists urged Moscow to release journalist Kurmasheva immediately.
“CPJ is deeply concerned by the detention of U.S-Russian journalist Alsu Kurmasheva on spurious criminal charges,” the statement said.
