Marina Ovsiannikova, his name is now in the media around the world. This employee of the Russian television channel Pervy Kanal burst into a pro-Kremlin television news to denounce the offensive in Ukraine launched by Vladimir Putin. She was released on March 15, 2022 with a “single” fine of 30,000 rubles (about 250 euros at the current rate), after his arrest which sparked international outrage, AFP reported. But the problems are far from over for the 43-year-old mother of two, as she still faces criminal charges that could lead to heavy prison sentences under a recent law cracking down on “false information” about the Russian army.
After the hearing, during which she refused to admit her guilt, Marina Ovsiannikova said she wants “to rest“after this ordeal”very difficult“.”These are very difficult days in my life, I spent almost two days without sleep, the interrogation lasted 14 hours“, she said in a brief statement to the press. “I did not have the right to speak with my relatives, nor had access to legal assistance, and that is why I was in a very difficult position.“, she added. “Today I have to restr”.
In fact, the hardest could be to come for the new muse of the Russian opponents to the military operation of Moscow in Ukraine. Tuesday’s hearing was not directly devoted to Marina Ovsiannikova’s action on Pervy Kanal, but to a video broadcast at the same time on the internet in which she denounces the entry of Russian troops into Ukraine. Marina Ovsyannikova still risks, for this live intervention, criminal prosecution punishable by heavy prison sentences. In the event that she is prosecuted for publishing “false information” about the Russian army, the journalist and producer faces up to 15 years in prison, what his lawyer fears. The mere use of the word “war” by media outlets or individuals to describe Russian intervention in Ukraine is liable to prosecution, with the Kremlin and its media using the term “special military operation“.
A sign that Marina Ovsiannikova’s protest action has displeased the top of power, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday denounced an act of “hooliganism“. Marina Ovsiannikova’s act is all the more notable as it is increasingly difficult for Russians to express their opposition. In his video recorded before his sudden appearance in front of the cameras, this Ukrainian father and Russian mother personality explained his refusal to see Russia and Ukraine as enemies and regretted having made Kremlin propaganda in recent years on the Pervy Kanal channel: “I’m very ashamed today.”
The courage of this television producer who criticized Moscow’s military operation in Ukraine and denounced the “propaganda” of the government-controlled media has been praised around the world. President Emmanuel Macron even went so far as to say he was ready to offer him “consular protection“, either at the embassy or by granting him asylum.