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.  

UKRAINE: Vladyslav Yesypenko Visits Washington, D.C.

This month, formerly imprisoned RFE/RL Ukrainian Service journalist Vladyslav Yesypenko visited Washington, D.C for meetings with U.S. officials and Ukrainian diplomats, Congressional staffers, and civil society representatives. He thanked them for their advocacy on his behalf and expressed concern over the ongoing imprisonment of RFE/RL journalists.

Vladyslav also spoke with the Washington Post about his detention and attended a screening of the documentary Truth at a Cost: Vladyslav Yesypenko’s Story.

Vladyslav was released on June 20 after spending more than four years behind bars in Russia-occupied Crimea.

AZERBAIJAN: Congressman McGovern Sends Letter to President Aliyev Over Unjust Prosecution of Imprisoned RFE/RL Journalist’s Wife

On October 27, U.S. Representative Jim McGovern sent a letter to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev expressing “deep concern regarding the criminal prosecution of Nargiz Mukhtarova,” the wife of imprisoned RFE/RL Azerbaijani Service journalist Farid Mehralizada. The congressman wrote:

“I am especially troubled by the impact this situation is having on Farid and Nargiz’s baby daughter. Farid and Nargiz deserve to be at home…”

This follows a letter from U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen to Farid in September detailing her commitment to his freedom. The press release that accompanied Senator Shaheen’s letter also highlighted the undue targeting of Nargiz.

Farid was detained in May 2024 and is currently serving an unjust nine-year sentence. Nargiz faces 12 years in prison on politically motivated charges.

RUSSIA: Press Freedom Organizations Co-Sign Letter on Behalf of Nika Novak

RFE/RL and nine press freedom organizations co-signed a letter urging the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention to issue an opinion declaring the detention of RFE/RL journalist Nika Novak by Russian authorities “arbitrary.”

Nika was arrested in December 2023 and later sentenced to four years in prison on charges related to her reporting for RFE/RL.

UKRAINE: Vehicle Carrying RFE/RL Journalist Hit by Russian Drone

RFE/RL correspondent Serhiy Horbatenko was filming a civilian evacuation team’s mission in Ukraine’s Donetsk region when a Russian drone strike hit their vehicle on November 20. The driver, a U.S. humanitarian worker, suffered shrapnel wounds to the face. Serhiy, who was not injured, captured the incident on camera.

TAKE ACTION: Send Holiday Wishes 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 holiday messages 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.