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Russia: anti-war journalist Marina Ovsiannikova tried on Monday for having "discredited" the army

2022-08-07T21:49:15.034Z


On March 14, the Russian journalist had interrupted live the newspaper of the first Russian channel where she worked, Pervy Kanal, with a


This Monday, she is to be tried for having "discredited" the army.

Since her return to Russia, journalist Marina Ovsiannikova has been intimidated by the authorities and has redoubled her efforts, in the face of criticism, to prove the sincerity of her opposition to the conflict in Ukraine.

Another trial awaits him to retain custody of his children.

On March 14, she interrupted live the newspaper of the first Russian channel where she worked, Pervy Kanal, with a sign against the offensive launched by Vladimir Putin.

A gesture that went around the world and changed his life.

After this coup, she announced that she would stay in Russia, but finally joined the Die Welt media in Germany for three months.

VIDEO.

Who is Marina Ovsiannikova, the journalist who challenged Putin on Russian news?

While she was away, her ex-husband, an employee of the pro-Kremlin broadcaster RT, sued her to deprive her of custody of her two children and prevent her from taking them abroad.

Consequently, Marina Ovsiannikova, 44, told AFP that she had made "the difficult decision" to return to Russia in early July.

One of the last Russian voices to condemn the war in Ukraine

“I decided to play Russian roulette,” she says, wearing an elegant black dress, sitting on a bench in central Moscow, after dropping her daughter off at a private school for summer lessons.

"I decided to play Russian roulette."



Moscow TV protester Marina Ovsyannikova, who denounced Russia's intervention in Ukraine during a live broadcast, knew that coming back to Moscow would be risky.

The mother of two could be arrested at any momenthttps://t.co/XDVJ79Ji5F pic.twitter.com/Wcbm4b0Xi5

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) August 5, 2022

The one who lived comfortably working 19 years for state television is now one of the last voices in Russia to loudly condemn the conflict in Ukraine.

Other influential critics are imprisoned, keep a low profile, or are in exile.

"I am a fighter, I continue to actively denounce the war, I do not plan to stop, I am not afraid despite the intimidation", proclaims Marina Ovsiannikova, in her high-pitched and cheerful voice.

Since her return from exile, she has come to support imprisoned opponent Ilia Yachine in court, demonstrated not far from the Kremlin with a sign calling Putin a "killer", and regularly publishes messages online denouncing power.

Despite the risks, she also continues to participate in news programs broadcast by Russian opponents on social networks.

Because of her criticism, she was briefly arrested in mid-July by police near her home and fined in two trials for statements against the offensive in Ukraine.

She regrets having stayed “too long” in her bubble

In addition, Marina Ovsiannikova still faces hostility from part of the Russian opposition and Ukrainians who accuse her of having been a "propagandist", and that of the pro-Kremlin who consider her a traitor.

Some accuse her of having reversed her jacket out of opportunism, for her career, because she has obtained immense international visibility.

Marina Ovsiannikova calmly refutes.

"It is useful for the power to constantly create conspiracy theories against me, people no longer know who to believe," she said, while calling to "unite and support" all opponents of the Kremlin offensive.

She admits mistakes: having stayed “too long” in her bubble, without “finding the strength” to change jobs.

For her, this inaction and indifference, embraced by many Russians, is a form of “self-preservation” fueled by fear.

“Our people are really very scared.

Even those who understand all the absurdity and the horror going on prefer to keep quiet”, she maintains, believing that the Russians criticize the power “in their kitchen”, sheltered from indiscreet ears, as during the USSR.

She also explains that she has an “unenviable” situation, threatened from all sides and faced with a “family war”.

But she stresses that her problems are “trifles” compared to the suffering of Ukrainians.

Torn between hope and fatalism

It remains to be seen whether his activism will earn him criminal prosecution for "disseminating false information" about the army, a crime punishable by 15 years in prison.

Dozens of people are already prosecuted in Russia for this reason.

On this point, she is torn between hope and fatalism.

According to her, the power could be reluctant not to give more echo to her famous protest on television, and because she says she has “solid international support”.

But her face curls when asked whether or not she will leave Russia in the event of criminal charges.

"It's hard to say, I live from day to day," she replies after a frank hesitation.

"We can find a law to punish each person," adds Marina Ovsiannikova, taking up a sinister aphorism dating from the Stalinist terror.

“If they make this decision, they will arrest me during the day, it will take a few seconds.

»

Source: leparis

All news articles on 2022-08-07

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