The Russian journalist who protested Russia's invasion of Ukraine during a prime time news broadcast on state television was fined and released on Tuesday after a court hearing.
A judge of Moscow's Ostankinsky District Court ordered state television employee Marina Ovsyannikova to pay a fine of 30,000 rubles (280 dollars, 247 euros) after break into the set of Russia's most-watched evening news program with a sign that read “No to war”.
The incident was a very unusual security breach on the tightly controlled state-run station Canal Uno. His flagship 9:00 p.m. news program, called “Time”, has been broadcast since the Soviet era and is watched by millions across the country, particularly by older Russians.
In court, where he was facing 10 days in detention for posting a video explaining his reasons for interrupting the news broadcast, Ovsyannikovase pleaded not guilty.
“I am still convinced that Russia is committing a crime,” said the mother of two.
Her lawyer, Daniil Berman, told AFP on Tuesday that the journalist was also risking criminal charges with up to 15 years in prison under new laws introduced after President Vladimir Putin sent troops to Ukraine on February 24.
In addition to her protest, Ovsyannikova also recorded a video speech, saying that her father is Ukrainian and her mother is Russian and that she does not see countries as enemies.
“I am ashamed that I allowed lies to be told from the TV screen. I am ashamed that I allowed the Russians to be zombified,” he said in the video.
Attack from the Kremlin
The Kremlin described Ovsyannikova's protest as “hooliganism” on Tuesday morning.
“As far as this woman is concerned, this is vandalism,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, praising Channel One for what he called its quality, objective and timely programming.
For his part, Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelensky celebrated Ovsyannikova's gesture during his evening speech.
“I am grateful to the Russians who keep trying to convey the truth. To those who fight misinformation and tell the truth, the real facts to their friends and loved ones,” Zelensky said.
“And personally to the woman who entered the ibCanal Uno studio with an anti-war poster.”
Kira Yarmysh, the spokeswoman for imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny, wrote on Twitter: “Wow, that girl is great.”
Russia has blocked or limited popular social media platforms Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, all of which were widely used to make political statements.
Still, a video clip of the incident quickly spread on social media, and many users paid tribute to the “extraordinary courage” of women in a context of strong repression against the opposition.
Since the start of the intervention in Ukraine on February 24, thousands of protesters have been arrested in Russia.
Numerous media outlets were shut down after negatively covering the war and many journalists were forced to flee the country.
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