Moscow, Feb. 6 -- Authorities opened a criminal investigation against a journalist for criticizing the authorities in her comments about a recent suicide bombing, Human Rights Watch said today. Russia also fined the radio station and newsfeed websites that carried her comments.
If she is prosecuted, the journalist, Svetlana Prokopyeva, faces up to seven years in prison on charges of "justifying terrorism." Russian authorities should immediately close the investigation, and not misuse anti-terrorism laws to stifle free speech.
"Svetlana Prokopyeva has done nothing wrong," said Damelya Aitkhozhina, Russia researcher at Human Rights Watch. "By investigating her and punishing the media outlets she worked with, Russian authorities are sending a...