Detained U.S. Journalist Alsu Kurmasheva Marks 100 Days in a Russian Prison
Thursday, January 25th marks the 100th day American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva will spend unjustly imprisoned in the southern Russian city of Kazan.
January 25, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Thursday, January 25th marks the 100th day American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva will spend unjustly imprisoned in the southern Russian city of Kazan. For more than three months, Alsu has been denied consular access—her right as an American—and deprived of contact with her husband and two daughters.
Stephen Capus, Acting President of RFE/RL, says:
“Even one day unjustly behind bars is a tragedy, but a U.S. citizen wrongfully held in a Russian prison for 100 days is outrageous. Alsu is a wife, mother, and beloved member of this proud institution. Simply put, Russia should grant her unconditional and immediate release.
We hope the U.S. State Department will quickly designate Alsu as ‘wrongfully detained.’”
To mark the grim milestone of Alsu’s 100th day in prison, dozens of her colleagues say “Free Alsu” in 38 languages in this new video, which includes the 27 languages in which RFE/RL broadcasts to its local audiences.
Alsu began her career with RFE/RL in 1998 and is a journalist with RFE/RL’s Tatar-Bashkir Service. She holds U.S. and Russian citizenship and lives in Prague with her husband and two children. Alsu was detained in Kazan, Russia, on October 18 last year while visiting her elderly, ailing mother.
MORE:
- Comprehensive background about Alsu’s case
- For more information, contact press@rferl.org.
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About RFE/RL
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) is a private, independent international news organization whose programs — radio, Internet, television, and mobile — reach influential audiences in 23 countries, including Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, the republics of Central Asia and the Caucasus. It is funded by the U.S. Congress through USAGM.