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 23 countries. Subscribe for exclusive updates.  

Russia: Nika Novak Placed in Solitary Confinement

On August 21, RFE/RL learned that imprisoned Russian Service journalist Nika Novak was placed in solitary confinement for five days for refusing to deny reports about the abhorrent conditions she is held in. Nika has started a hunger strike to protest her confinement.

Nika was detained in December 2023 and sentenced to four years in prison over baseless charges related to her journalistic work. She is currently held in a notoriously harsh penal colony in Siberia. Former inmates held in the facility have reported psychological pressure, isolation, and blackmail.

TAKE ACTION: As Nika endures unjust detention in Russia, you can write her a letter to show your support. Visit RFE/RL’s website to learn how. 

AZERBAIJAN: Farid Mehralizada Sentenced to Nine Years in Prison

On June 20, RFE/RL Azerbaijani Service journalist Farid Mehralizada was sentenced to nine years in prison on spurious charges. He has been imprisoned since May 2024.

RFE/RL President and CEO Stephen Capus said:

“Farid has already lost a great deal. Unjustifiably detained for more than a year, he missed the birth of his child and now waits for elusive justice. Denying this man his fundamental rights is unnecessarily cruel. Instead of perpetuating this sham, it’s time to reunite Farid with his family.”

TAKE ACTION: As Farid pursues an appeal to overturn his unjust sentence, join the call on social media to #FreeFarid. 

KAZAKHSTAN: RFE/RL Challenges Accreditation Denials in Court

RFE/RL has filed a legal complaint in response to the Kazakh government’s decision to deny accreditation to 16 RFE/RL journalists.

On August 20, a court in Astana upheld the accreditation denials of seven RFE/RL journalists. RFE/RL President and CEO Stephen Capus said the ruling violates Kazakhstan’s constitution and encouraged “a mutual commitment to resolving this important dispute.”

The Committee to Protect Journalists called on the Kazakh authorities to reinstate accreditation for RFE/RL journalists and added, “RFE/RL’s bold reporting has an absolutely central place in Kazakhstan’s media sphere, and we await with deep concern a court verdict that could dramatically hinder its work.” 

The appeal of a further nine journalists will be heard on September 17.

BELARUS: Ihar Losik Marks Five Years of Unjust Detention

RFE/RL continues to advocate for the release of Belarus Service journalist Ihar Losik, who has spent over five years in a Belarusian prison. Ihar has been held in extremely harsh conditions and subjected to long periods of incommunicado detention. 

Ihar’s formerly imprisoned colleagues, Aleh Hruzdzilovich, Andrei Kuznechyk and Ihar Karnei, released a video advocating for Ihar’s release. You can watch it here. Kuznechyk and Karnei were released in recent months following the Trump administration’s diplomatic efforts. 

In Case You Missed It 

• A National Catholic Register story marked Ihar Losik’s fifth year of detention and discussed how he might be finding strength in his Catholic faith. 

• RFE/RL published Ukrainian Service journalist Vladyslav Yesypenko’s first interview since his release from detention in Russia-occupied Crimea on June 20. Vladyslav was imprisoned for over four years and brutally tortured by Russian forces.

My name is Deniz Yuksel, Advocacy Manager 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 collaborating to amplify the stories of our imprisoned journalists, you can reach us by emailing advocacy@rferl.org.