Journalists in Trouble is a monthly report of incidents targeting Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) journalists and their work, and developments affecting press freedom across 22 countries. Subscribe for exclusive updates.  

A Message from Recently Freed RFE/RL Journalists

In 2025, RFE/RL journalists Andrei Kuznechyk, Ihar Karnei, Ihar Losik, and Vladyslav Yesypenko were released from unjust detention, thanks to diplomatic efforts by the United States and its partners, and advocacy by the global press freedom community.

Together, the four journalists send the following message to their supporters:

“This year, we were reunited with our loved ones because of your brave and dedicated support. When you spoke our names, your words bore an immeasurable weight. They penetrated prison walls in Belarus and Russia-occupied Crimea, bringing light to even the darkest corners of our cells.

Our hope for freedom was kept alive by your advocacy, and you are responsible for achieving what once seemed impossible. Thank you.”

RUSSIA: Nika Novak Held Incommunicado for Nine Days

After nine days of incommunicado detention, contact was re-established with imprisoned RFE/RL Russian Service journalist Nika Novak in early December. Nika is held at a notoriously harsh penal colony in Siberia.

Nika was arrested in December 2023 and later sentenced to four years in prison on charges related to her reporting for RFE/RL. In recent months, prison administrators have sought to punish Nika by placing her in isolation and solitary confinement, and by restricting her communications.

TAKE ACTION: Send Messages of Support to Our Colleagues Behind Bars

This year, two RFE/RL journalists will spend the holiday season away from loved ones: Farid Mehralizada in Azerbaijan and Nika Novak in Russia.

Join us in sending them messages of support to remind them that they are not forgotten. Visit their pages on our website to learn how.

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My name is Nathan Shoemaker, Advocacy Officer here at RFE/RL and the author of Journalists in Trouble. Thank you for reading and subscribing to our newsletter and for standing with persecuted journalists.

If you are interested in amplifying the stories of our imprisoned journalists, you can reach us by emailing advocacy@rferl.org.